Basma Alawee is an Iraq-born, Florida-based activist on refugee issues.[1]
Basma Alawee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Baghdad, Iraq |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Organization | We Are All America |
| Known for | Refugee activism |
She fled, with her family, from Baghdad to Jacksonville, Florida in 2010 after threats on their lives. In USA she co-founded WeaveTales and helped set up the Iraqi Family Organization.
Early life
editAlawee was born in Baghdad, during the Iran-Iraq War, where she studied engineering.[2]
Move to USA
editAfter her husband took a job with a US-run organization, their lives were threatened. In 2010, Alawee and her husband moved as refugees to Jacksonville, Florida under the Special Immigrant Visa.[2][3][4]
Career
editWhile in Iraq, Alawee worked at the national Department of Oil.[2]
Upon arrival in USA at first volunteered at Lutheran Social Services, at World Relief and other Catholic Charities doing interpretation and other refugee-support work. Later, she was hired by Alden Road Exceptional Student Center as a teacher before moving to The Foundation Academy to teach science and mathematics.[2]
In 2013 Alawee became the Florida delegate for the Refugee Congress.
In 2018 she became the inaugural Organizer for the Florida Immigrant Coalition.[2][5][6] In 2019,[3] she co-founded for not-for-profit WeaveTales[7] and was a key part of the founding of the Iraqi Family Organization, an entity that helps Arabs teach each other.[2]
In 2021, she campaigned for Americans to welcome Afghan refugees after the Taliban takeover,[1][8] and invited others to organize support for refugees.[4]
In 2020, she won an EVE award.[2] She currently works as the national campaign manager for campaign organization We Are All America.[1][9]
Family
editAlawee's husband is Ali Aljubouri, and they have two daughters, Dana, and Rodina. [2][10]
References
edit- ^ a b c Di Gregorio, Renata (3 September 2021). "'Welcome with our voice, welcome with our votes': Activists discuss what's next for Afghan refugees". First Coast News. Jacksonville, Florida. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Strickland, Sandy (September 30, 2020). "EVE winner: After escape from Iraq, Basma Alawee lobbies for refugees". The Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville, Florida. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ a b McKeon, Jennie (March 18, 2021). "Florida Refugee Advocacy Week Teaches Others To 'Be A Good Neighbor'". WUWF. Pensacola, Florida: Florida Public Media. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Gómez, Laura (2021-06-20). "Settled into new homes, refugees in US say they are working for a better life for all". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved 2021-11-13 – via Florida Phoenix.
- ^ Snow, Anita (September 28, 2020). "'I can't wait': Former refugees to cast first US votes on Nov. 3". Christian Science Monitor. Phoenix. Associated Press. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Khalel, Sheren (3 February 2019). "At home on the pitch: Refugees in Florida find community in football". Middle East Eye. Tampa, Florida. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Parker, Marilyn (February 8, 2021). "Refugees, immigrants in Jacksonville pleased with Biden executive order to increase refugee cap". WJXT. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Alvarez, Priscilla; Hansler, Jennifer; Atwood, Kylie (April 9, 2021). "Pressure builds on Biden administration to lift refugee cap after months-long delay". CNN. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Lodi, Hafsa (June 18, 2021). "'From Women to the World': powerful letters by female Arab activists among new anthology". The National. Abu Dhabi. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Parker, Marilyn (June 20, 2021). "12-year-old refugee advocate following in her mother's footsteps". WJXT. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
External links
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