对阿瓦达来说，与众不同是一种力量

As a child, 艾琳Awada tried to remain unnoticed by classmates who bullied her. But a year after returning to her home country of 黎巴嫩 and witnessing the suffering of others, she recognized that she could lead efforts to help less fortunate people.

阿瓦达在贝鲁特开始了她的生活. When she was 7, her family moved 6,600 miles to 巴西 for her father’s job. In 圣保罗, she was bullied at school for being different. “I was shy, I was quiet, and I definitely wasn’t confident in who I was,”她说。.

六年后，一家人回到黎巴嫩. A massive explosion in Beirut’s port in 2020 had disrupted Beirut’s economy for people already subjected to social disparities and political instability. COVID加剧了他们的痛苦.

Awada matured, partly because of the changes she saw in the city. The experience also increased Awada’s appreciation for her parents’ sacrifices to make a good life for her and her four siblings.

Her father and mother had ended their education before high school. At 14, he went to Liberia, selling car parts to earn a living. 他成了一名商人，专门经营房地产. 她的母亲照顾家庭和家务.

“他们建立了自己的道路, and they acknowledge the importance of having higher education,阿和田说. “That’s why they make it a priority to provide an education for their children. Without them and their hard work, I wouldn’t be able to lead the life that I have.”

After one year in 黎巴嫩, the family returned to 巴西. With memories of being bullied still fresh, she realized that being different is a strength. “我从融入人群变成了引领人群. I pushed myself to be more outspoken and to explore leadership opportunities,阿和田说.

阿田琳(提交图片)

Her community service in 黎巴嫩 became a springboard for her efforts in 巴西, 那里有近30%的人口生活在贫困之中. 她帮助创建了非营利组织Creativity, Originality and Solidarity to help children in foster homes. She volunteered with Projeto Mãos na Massa to help renovate houses for disabled/at-risk people and raised funds for Operation Smile, which provides free treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate. 高中时担任学生会秘书, Awada volunteered and helped lead fundraising efforts for the Bibli-ASPA library and re太阳城娱乐城 center and Missão Paz, 哪个服务于移民和难民.

Awada founded the Inspiring Female Youth initiative and its supporting podcast that focuses on feminism and body image. She and five other young women hosted seminars with powerful career women working in different fields. They organized workshops to encourage girls to work toward their goals and gave classes on feminism and self-defense.

在卡罗莱纳, she will prepare for a career in law and global politics with a goal of promoting female empowerment. “Many women among my ancestors weren’t given opportunities to pursue their educational and professional ambitions,”她说。. “我很幸运能写出自己的故事. Along the way, I aspire to help break this cycle by empowering the next generation of female leaders.”

She also wants to bring the perspective of her Middle Eastern and Latin American backgrounds to as many Carolina opportunities as possible. 她希望能加入学生会, join cultural organizations and discuss the importance of Middle Eastern women and their voices.

“我所做的一切, 我希望挑战我的思维, nurture my leadership and push myself to become my most adept and eloquent version,阿和田说.