Shero /ˈSHērō/ noun:
A Shero is a female trailblazer who is creating change in her community. She takes risks, she challenges misconceptions and addresses injustices. Sheroes are on a mission to build a better world, and the Sisterhood is here to support them and uplift their voices.
NAHEED & YUSRA
A powerful duo co-leading a grassroots organization and a local movement, Naheed and Yusra may not look like your typical mother and daughter.
JOHANNA OSMAN
By infusing Islamic values of equality, fairness, and compassion into Western models, Johanna is transforming our financial system as we know it.
anisa haji
Anisa is the founder of Leonura, a company committed to caring for melanated skin and skin damaged by whitening products.
MAYA SORIANO
After learning about her family story as a transnational adoptee, Maya began to understand the need for a dynamically different approach to early learning that took into account the whole child.
Juwaria Jama
At 17 years old, Juwaria is a young leader in the Minnesota climate justice movement, fighting environmental racism in North Minneapolis and beyond.
NAIMA DHORE
As one of the only Somali Minnesotan organic farmers, Naima is reconnecting her community with healthy food and with nature.
amina ghouse
As a Public Safety Commissioner, Amina plays a key role in advising the New Brighton City Council on human rights issues.
Danyal Massood
Danyal created a place where teenage girls come to receive mentorship and bond together over the struggles that they may be going through.
Dr. mona minkara
As America’s first blind female Muslim chemist, Mona is reviving and renewing the power of our American dreams.
nimo ahmed
As a social worker and healthcare advocate, Nimo works to bridge the equity gap faced by African people with disabilities.
SALLY HASSAN
Sally loves the outdoors and organizes adventures to build sisterhood, enjoy the sunshine, and most importantly have fun.
RABIA MUMTAZ
With the character of a philanthropist, Rabia’s gifts range from small gestures for individuals to significant financial donations for community organizations.
REGINA MUSTAFA
Through the Faith Talk Show, Regina has created a space where religions meet — no debates, no lectures, tough questions, and lots of fun.
krista siddiqui
Krista is the first and only Muslim hijabi nursing home administrator in Minnesota. Her heart lies in nonprofit and charitable projects.
NEMEH AL-SARRAJ
Nemeh is a dedicated advocate for disability justice whose mind never strays far from the issue closest to her heart — autism awareness.
rebel pride
CPHS has implemented uniform policy changes that embrace the values of inclusion and understanding, creating custom Rebel Tennis sports hijabs.
valerie shirley
Valerie is a Deaf educational teacher who came across a lot of Deaf immigrants who didn't have access to religious teaching and saw the need to help them.
FARDouSA JAMA
Fardousa opened Somali Community Barwaaqo Organization with a mission is to support Somali and other immigrant families as they settle in the community.
amina baha
Amina realized that her Afghan community needed her to do what she had done so many times before — believe in herself and take a risk.
fardosa hassan
In addition to being Augsburg College’s inaugural Muslim Chaplain, Fardosa is deeply embedded in her work as a vocal advocate for racial justice in the Midwest.
annie qaiser
Annie’s knowledge of traditional healing systems and Islamic/prophetic medicine would morph into the unique concept of her own halal skincare and wellness line.
farhiya farah
Farhiya called her new firm GlobeGlow. As principal consultant, she found herself with ample opportunities that allowed her to pursue her passion — health equity.
RuQIA ABDI
After hearing repeated stories from survivors of sexual violence, Ruqia joined the Break the Silence movement, striving to end rape culture.
KENYA McKNIGHT Ahad
Kenya understands that the role she must play is in building collective economic capacity through education, skill and direct wealth-building opportunities.
AYAN OMAR
Understanding, acceptance, and empathy are values that Ayan Omar lives and breathes. She is on the forefront of social change in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
NADIA ABUISNAINEH
As a visibly Muslim woman teaching the public about NASA's space exploration programs, Nadia lives her life at the intersection of science and faith.
sUAD iSMAIL
Currently pursuing her license to become a clinical counselor, Suad is always ready to talk about mental health, no matter the audience, no matter the occasion.
NADIA MOHAMED
It’s not just the color of Nadia’s skin that’s different, it’s the distinct lived experiences that sets her apart when she’s civically engaged.
SADIA TARANNUM
For Sadia, a world with security and safety for all starts with a home for each. She had volunteered in shelters and understood that temporary housing was not enough.
ANSE TAMARA GRAY
When we picture a Muslim scholar, we generally don’t imagine a sparkly blue-eyed and hijab-clad Minnesota-born mother of three like Anse.
NIMO OMAR
From this first successful labor rights campaign to now, Nimo’s organizing has grown into a nonprofit organization: Awood Center.
RIHAB NAHEEL
Born in Aleppo, Syria, raised in Germany, Rihab calls Minnesota home. She's an ESL teacher, mom, and nonprofit social activist.
SUMERA ISLAM
Sumera’s day job as a Senior Financial Analyst at a Fortune 500 company doesn't stop her from community activism and her busy family life.
HANI HAYBE
Hani is the founder of Street Soccer Twin Cities, a nonprofit where underprivileged youth find an outlet through a shared passion for soccer.
FARYAL KHAN
As Faryal is working on her master's degree to become a marriage family therapist, she's starting the conversation on sexuality in the Muslim community.
KAUSAR HUSSAIN
The first female president of the Islamic Center of Minnesota, Kausar believes that our faith requires that we take care of our communities.
Our Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota digital shorts are part of the permanent collection at the Minnesota Historical Society. These shorts are available to view through the MNHS library catalog as well as in the finding aid for the collection.
A Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota educational guide created in partnership with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) is available to download through PBS Learning Media. The guide includes lesson plans and discussion questions for children and students grades 6-12.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.