In Arabic, ‘Amna’ means safe.
It was also the name of my grandmother, who ironically, never felt safe. When she was in sixth grade, her parents removed her from school, as they believed it was time for her to get married. Although Amna was not educated herself, she believed that education was a doorway to women’s independence, and made it a priority to house women and families in need so that they could continue their schooling. She opened her own home to single mothers and widows who needed support, and sponsored apartments for those she could not house personally. She died in 1958 at the age of 37.
Although I never met her, I grew up hearing stories about Amna’s heart of gold. It has long been my dream to start an organization that carries on her legacy, and helps women and children achieve financial independence and pursue their education. My hope is for Amna Sanctuary to become a safe, supportive space for all who need it.
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Dr. Rasha Roshdy
Executive Director