Biography:Basma Alawee
Basa Alawee | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Citizenship | USA |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Organization | We Are All America |
| Known for | Refugee activism |
Basma Alawee is an Iraq-born, Florida-based activist on refugee issues.[1]
She fled, with her family, from Baghdad to Florida in 2010 after threats on their lives. In USA she co-founded WeaveTales and helped set up the Iraqi Family Organization.
She won an Eve award in 2020.
Early life
Alawee was born in Baghdad, during the Iran-Iraq War, where she studied engineering.[2]
Move to USA
After 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.[2][3][4]
Career
While 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]
She currently works as the national campaign manager for campaign organization We Are All America.[1][8]
In 2021 she campaigned for Americans to welcome Afghan refugees.[1][9] And invited others to organize support for refugees.[4]
In 2020 she won an EVE award.[2]
Family
Alawee's husband is Ali Aljubouri, and they have two daughters, Dana, and Rodina.[2][10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Di Gregorio, Renata (3 September 2021). "'Welcome with our voice, welcome with our votes': Activists discuss what's next for Afghan refugees" (in en-US). https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/gmj/whats-next-for-afghan-refugees/77-be2da86d-2ec9-4484-9563-0b91f4a041f0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Strickland, Sandy. "EVE winner: After escape from Iraq, Basma Alawee lobbies for refugees" (in en-US). https://www.jacksonville.com/story/lifestyle/achievements/2020/09/30/eve-winner-after-escape-iraq-alawee-lobbies-refugees/5808506002/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Florida Refugee Advocacy Week Teaches Others To 'Be A Good Neighbor'" (in en). 2021-03-18. https://www.wuwf.org/news/2021-03-18/florida-refugee-advocacy-week-teaches-others-to-be-a-good-neighbor.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gómez, Laura; 20 June 2021, Florida Phoenix (2021-06-20). "Settled into new homes, refugees in US say they are working for a better life for all" (in en-US). https://floridaphoenix.com/2021/06/20/settled-into-new-homes-refugees-in-us-say-they-are-working-for-a-better-life-for-all/.
- ↑ "'I can't wait': Former refugees to cast first US votes on Nov. 3". Christian Science Monitor. 2020-09-28. ISSN 0882-7729. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2020/0928/I-can-t-wait-Former-refugees-to-cast-first-US-votes-on-Nov.-3.
- ↑ "At home on the pitch: Refugees in Florida find community in football" (in en). http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/home-pitch-refugees-florida-find-community-football.
- ↑ Parker, Marilyn (2021-02-08). "Refugees, immigrants in Jacksonville pleased with Biden executive order to increase refugee cap" (in en). https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/02/08/refugees-immigrants-in-jacksonville-pleased-with-biden-executive-order-to-increase-refugee-cap/.
- ↑ "'From Women to the World': powerful letters by female Arab activists among new anthology". https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/from-women-to-the-world-powerful-letters-by-female-arab-activists-among-new-anthology-1.1242444.
- ↑ Priscilla Alvarez, Jennifer Hansler and Kylie Atwood. "Pressure builds on Biden administration to lift refugee cap after months-long delay". https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/politics/refugees-us-cap-biden/index.html.
- ↑ Parker, Marilyn (2021-06-20). "12-year-old refugee advocate following in her mother’s footsteps" (in en). https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/06/20/12-year-old-refugee-advocate-following-in-her-mothers-footsteps/.
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