September Breakfast Meeting Keynoter:
Kasar Abdulla
Are We There Yet?
A Look at Women in Today’s Society
Women wear many hats and play many roles in today’s society. But, what does that mean for the obstacles that continue to affect us in the workplace? In her presentation, Abdulla will remind us how far we have come and bring light to the challenges that still face women in business today.
About Kasar Abdulla:
Kasar was born in Kurdistan of Iraq. When former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein waged war on the region in 1988, Kasar, at the age of 6, lost several family members and was forced to become a refugee.
Initially, Kasar and her family lived in the refugee camp in Meriden, Turkey until September 1992, when her family was brought to Fargo, North Dakota. After four years there, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee.
Since her life in the refugee camp, Kasar has been an educator, advocate and organizer for social justice.
Kasar graduated from Tennessee State University with Bachelor's degree in Sociology in 2005. She joined the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) in January 2006.
She has participated in many interfaith dialogues regarding her experience as a refugee; Kurdistan and its people; the role of a Muslim woman; and life after September 11 as a Muslim in the United States and in the Bible Belt.
Kasar has also been featured in Nashville Public Television’s “Next Door Neighbor” documentary and helped produce a video entitled “Kurdish Women for Better Health.”
Kasar has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the community. She is a recipient of the “Women Making History Award” from Vanderbilt’s Office of Women.
Kasar has been featured in the Nashville Scene’s “The People Issue 2010,” in Splashlife magazine “30 Under 30: Civic Leaders” and on the front page of the Swedish Magazine DN. VARLDEN.
Kasar is a member of the Board of Directors for YWCA Nashville, is a 2013 YP Nominee for the Athena International Leadership Program Award and is a 2011 Leadership Nashville alumnus. She is a member of NashvilleCABLE.