By: Ashwak Hauter

On Friday June 18, 2010, the American Association of Yemeni Scientists and Professionals held its first ceremony in honor of Yemeni-American women high school and university graduates, in California. This was the first event of its kind in the state of California and was highly received by the community. Among the attendees were the twenty graduates from various cities in California, their families, and community members. By the end of the night, the goal of uniting the community, through a discourse of the building blocks needed to instill a conviction towards the attainment of higher education and ways this generation of educated Yemeni women in various fields can overcome difficulties and barriers, was materialized. 

The presence of these graduates in this unique event is evident of these women’s successful development, educational accomplishment, and the Yemeni community’s direction. On this day, these graduates have proven to their families that they can persevere despite many obstacles. The graduates are at a crossroad and have completed a major stage in their lives, because the secondary stage is the structural base for success in college. Whereas in the past, marriage, among other cultural responsibilities, has deterred many Yemeni women from attending college, there is need to facilitate, encourage, and motivate women to seek higher education. Marriage is not a hindrance to attaining a higher education. This was evident in our own ceremony, as two of our speakers, Sohir and Madinah, are mothers and university graduates.

Being a mother is a noble and fulfilling role. Yet, a woman can fulfill multiple duties, as a mother, wife, and student. Just as a woman finds creative ways to fulfill these sacrificial duties, her spouse should also support her in her endeavors. As Sohir evoked in her speech, the proverb which says “If you teach a man, you have taught one person. If you teach a woman, you have taught an entire country.” Therefore, educating women in our community is inherent to developing a higher standard of living and mobilizing our community. We, as a community, must invest in our daughters in order for our community to grow and prosper. This investment would include guidance and reliance that we will grow intellectually, aid our community, and sustain our Muslim and cultural identity.

The Ceremony began with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the entrance of the graduates. The event’s Masters of Ceremony (MCs) were Amani and Shaima. The event schedule included a number of high school and college graduate speakers and a poem, “Bilqis” written especially for the graduates by the poet Jamal Majali. The poem was widely received with much praise.

There were a couple of high school students that delivered personal speeches about their journey to completing high school. Their wisdom and aspirations is a stepping stone for what is to come in the future. Graduates expressed their love, respect, and extended their gratitude to the mothers that aided them, after Allah (God) all mighty, in their success. There was also a number of university graduates who delivered inspirational speeches which encourage high school students to enroll in college, gave the girls an idea of what college is like and how it is only the beginning. The event concluded with a question and answer session that tried to explain further the functions of the American Association of Yemeni Scientists and Professionals and its resources.

In conclusion, we ask Allah (God) Almighty to facilitate success in the coming years to expand the event to reach many more women in cities across California. We wish to extend our thanks and gratitude to the graduates, family members, and community members that attended. Lastly, we want to thank the sister’s board of the AAYSP California chapter for organizing the event.

The famous poet Hafiz Ibrahim said, "mother is a school, if you well-prepare her with education, you will create a prosperous nation.”