Our Guest Panel Speaks Up!

In honor of International Women’s Day we launched a contest for folks to nominate an exceptional woman who works hard to give back to our communities and/or goodwill.

The top 3 nominees will receive a $100 contribution towards a charity of their choice and a Break the Silence shirt. Their story will also be featured on our blog. We have 5 guest panelists who are currently judging the heartfelt nominations and can’t

wait to reveal our winners! We did however want to shed some light on our very humble panelists who have helped to empower the plight of women worldwide.

Hilda Bahena: Hilda is the Legal Assistance Department

Director at the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Hilda is dedicated to the representation of domestic violence survivors. Her legal advocacy and personal commitment provide a strong base for clients to pursue a safer life, and

she has shown a dedication toreaching out to communities where cultural and language barriers impede people from obtaining the legal advice and representation they desperately need. Hilda has co-created a monthly legal

clinic at Mujeres Latinas in Accion that provides domestic violence survivors on-site legal advice.

Neha Gill: Neha is the Executive Director of Apna

Ghar, a comprehensive, multicultural center that provides services and shelter to women who are victims of domestic abuse.

Apna Ghar’s mission is to provide holistic services to women and children across immigrant communities in the Chicago area to end the cycle of domestic violence. At Apna Ghar, Neha has led consultations for local and

international NGOs, government officials, and staff of UN agencies on providing services to marginalized populations including survivors of gender based

violence. Neha has been featured on WBEZ’s worldview program, and has been cited in

several studies and articles on domestic violence. Raza Kazmi: Raza is the 2013-2014 President of Thaakat at

Rutgers University, NJ. Raza has worked hard all year to

launch initiatives to support our Break the Silence campaign.

Through on campus awareness tables and engaging events and meetings he has led his chapter to be at the forefront of our 'empowering' women campaign.

Shehnaz Abdeljaber: Shehnaz is a Palestinian human rights

activist who works on issues affecting Palestine and women. She sits on the board of Unchainedatlast, the only organization of its kind in the US that assists women leaving unwanted arranged and forced marriages and she works as the Outreach

Coordinator at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, at Rutgers University.

“Thaakat's Exceptional Women Campaign is a fantastic way to celebrate women who

are engaging in important issues affecting their communities. I believe that women

everywhere are employing dynamic and innovative ideas to change the world around

them, with his in mind I am thankful to participate in Thaakat's efforts at recognizing

some of the many women around us planting hope in the garden of our hearts and

minds.

Raj Shah: Raj is a Marketing professional who would like

to channel his energy towards giving back. He is starting a blog about business, books and basketball and through

this platform intends to raise money to launch a soccer field for the 80+ students at Thaakat's free school in Ghana of which 40% are girls.