Meet the Team
meet Zeinab
Zeinab Musa is a Michigan-born and raised daughter of Iraqi immigrants. As a co-founder of Empower Iraq, she aspires to create an organization that makes education more accessible and equitable for all.
She hopes to pursue a career in Law and Academia after a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. At the University of Michigan she is involved in Arab and Muslim organizations, focusing on empowerment and philanthropy. She enjoys baking, crocheting, and reading in her free time.
meet Rasha
Rasha Haider Hamoudi is a native-born Iraqi who moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan, at age seven. She studies Biochemistry and Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan on the pre-pharmacy track. Outside of class, she’s involved in pharmacological research and harm reduction. In her free time, Rasha enjoys painting, cooking, and baking.
As co-founder of Empower Iraq, Rasha aims to help Iraqi students pursue their passions without financial barriers, combining her love for education and art to drive change.
The Birth of Empower Iraq
There is so much that shapes our identities. As Iraqi women with Arab and Muslim backgrounds pursuing our education in the United States, we have come to deeply appreciate the opportunities available to us, such as scholarships, academic freedom, and the ability to study in any discipline we choose. These privileges have also made us more aware of the educational disparities that exist globally. Out of a deep love for our Iraqi heritage, our people, and a desire to give back, we were inspired to create Empower Iraq, a project made possible through the financial support and social impact platform offered by optiMize.
Empower Iraq aims to address educational inequality in Iraq by funding students’ tuition. Our mission is to help Iraqi university students pursue their true passions and contribute to a more equitable future through education and entrepreneurship.
