You can tell by the way that people look to Hanifa Javadi that she has the magnetism of a natural leader. Her smile is warm and welcoming—especially as she throws her head back when she laughs—and her brown eyes flicker between a mischievous sparkle and sharp determination.

She leads Free Women, a group of refugees in Salt Lake City, Utah who create beautiful accessories to support their families.

When asked about her wedding day, Hanifa laughs and explains that, like any other young girl, she mostly thought of the clothes, the party, and how exciting it was to have all attention turned on her for a day. Unfortunately, reality set in as she went to bed that night, an adolescent bride to an adolescent groom. As a young woman married into a very traditional home, she did not have control over her own life. Hanifa was prohibited from making even the smallest decisions, like what color of hijab to wear, if she could go outside alone, or when, and if, to laugh.

Hanifa considers herself very fortunate that her immigration interviewers were all women because they were “more understanding” of her situation. She expressed to interviewers that she did not care what country she was sent to, as long as she could escape her circumstances. Eventually, she was approved to seek refuge in the United States.  

Like all refugees, Hanifa experienced the discomforts of moving to a new home drastically different than her own. However, the way she tells it, her experience was one of bright promise, new opportunities, and freedom. As her caseworker helped her family get settled, she couldn’t believe they would be living in an apartment where she and her children had their own rooms.

Already, Hanifa’s actions have inspired others. She describes how, as an Islamic woman, she has shown her brother and her children that women can be both proud Muslims and strong, empowered leaders.

After moving to the United States and divorcing her husband, Hanifa says that her brother, who remains in Afghanistan, was angry with her for three years. However, recently, their conversations have started to change. Hanifa received a message on her phone from her brother after he had reflected on her hard-earned success in America. It said: “I’m proud of you.” Looking at those four words on her phone, Hanifa smiles affectionately and says, “I’ll keep that message.”

Hanifa is on a mission to share her own message, and she does so often with her American friends, her refugee community in Utah, and her family back home. When asked what her journey has taught her, she responds unwaveringly, 

Each charm is made of upcycled pewter and was manufactured in the U.S. by a woman-owned company, and comes as part of the Once Upon a Farm collection. Though it's now sold out, your purchase of a Developing Enterprise postcard helps to support women like Hanifa all over the world as they vie for freedom and better lives.

November 11, 2020