In the month of September, Epsilon Alpha Sigma is recognizing and honoring one of our own Empowered Arab mothers, Shaheera Owaynat, for being both a strong and supportive local role model. Shaheera is mother of Alpha Chapter, Epsilon Class Dove, Lulu Alramahi. Born in Jordan to Palestinian parents, Owaynat moved to the United States with her family at the age of one.
At the mere age of 19, Owaynat took on the responsibility of raising a child as a single mother. That decision went against the strict religious and cultural norms practiced in her respective community. Her circumstances forced her to leave her family, with her young daughter in tow and a mere 500 dollars to her name, to start a new life on their own. For the next two years, the whereabouts of Owaynat and her daughter were unknown. Her transition to independence was littered with struggle; during her humble beginnings, she worked at a mall and as a waitress. After years of hard work, Owaynat established herself as an interior designer and built her own contracting business from home. She persevered in the face of adversity and disproved those that undermined her abilities as a single mother. By establishing a strong support system of friends and by empowering herself and those around her, she rose to be a strong and independent woman.
Lulu Alramahi says, "Leaving her family in that time and at her age was culturally unacceptable but she knew she wanted to give me a better life and wanted to be an example for young arab women that shared her struggles. The choices she's made in her life were extremely difficult but through always doing what she believes is right, she leads by example. The best way I can say it is that anytime she is around young Arab women, there is something about her that they look up to. I think it's the fact that she does not hold back at all, plus they are inspired by her story which she never hesitates to share. She refused to allow stereotypes that come with being not only a woman, but being an Arab woman, define her.”
Owaynat broke boundaries and refused to accept the standards imposed on Arab women at the time. Her determination demonstrates that one can persevere even through the most brutal conditions. For the Alpha chapter, she was a key figure in securing and finalizing many aspects of the 2015 annual charity banquet, Remembering the Refugees. The Empowered Arab Sisterhood is grateful to have an EAΣ mother who supports them in all their endeavors and takes every opportunity to help empower young Arab women.
At the mere age of 19, Owaynat took on the responsibility of raising a child as a single mother. That decision went against the strict religious and cultural norms practiced in her respective community. Her circumstances forced her to leave her family, with her young daughter in tow and a mere 500 dollars to her name, to start a new life on their own. For the next two years, the whereabouts of Owaynat and her daughter were unknown. Her transition to independence was littered with struggle; during her humble beginnings, she worked at a mall and as a waitress. After years of hard work, Owaynat established herself as an interior designer and built her own contracting business from home. She persevered in the face of adversity and disproved those that undermined her abilities as a single mother. By establishing a strong support system of friends and by empowering herself and those around her, she rose to be a strong and independent woman.
Lulu Alramahi says, "Leaving her family in that time and at her age was culturally unacceptable but she knew she wanted to give me a better life and wanted to be an example for young arab women that shared her struggles. The choices she's made in her life were extremely difficult but through always doing what she believes is right, she leads by example. The best way I can say it is that anytime she is around young Arab women, there is something about her that they look up to. I think it's the fact that she does not hold back at all, plus they are inspired by her story which she never hesitates to share. She refused to allow stereotypes that come with being not only a woman, but being an Arab woman, define her.”
Owaynat broke boundaries and refused to accept the standards imposed on Arab women at the time. Her determination demonstrates that one can persevere even through the most brutal conditions. For the Alpha chapter, she was a key figure in securing and finalizing many aspects of the 2015 annual charity banquet, Remembering the Refugees. The Empowered Arab Sisterhood is grateful to have an EAΣ mother who supports them in all their endeavors and takes every opportunity to help empower young Arab women.
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