Born in Kandahar, Afghanistan during the Taliban, Sola is my last pick for this monthly Staying Committed series. She was forced out of school. Condemned to home and an inevitable arranged marriage, Sola began educating herself, using Khan Academy.
Sola managed to sneak into Pakistan to take the SAT. She escaped to the states to begin formal education. Fast forward, Sola now researches quantum computing at Tufts and wrote Defiant Dreams.
It’s a grim, truthful, yet ultimately hopeful memoir, allowing readers to dive into their perspectives around Afghanistan. I, for one, was astonished by details on escaping repression, gaining understanding on stories that shaped my childhood, like fear around 9/11.
Sola reminds me to stay committed to advocacy, writing, and lifelong learning. Thank you for being courageous and true!