i stand
on the sacrifices
of a million women before me
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
so the women after me
can see farther
—Rupi Kaur
By: Brandi Stover
This short poem, a favorite of Honors College student Sumaiya Imad, serves as a constant reminder in her work, inspiring her dedication to using strength and courage to uplift other women around her.
“This quote drives me because I want to create a legacy not just for myself, but for every woman who was ever told she was ‘too ambitious’ or discouraged from dreaming big,” Imad said.
Imad – a second-year international student studying Economics and Psychology with a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy through the College of Social Science – knows firsthand how one strong woman can change the lives of those around her.
In the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, she learned through an online video that one of the world’s largest sex trafficking rings was located in her home country of Bangladesh.
“I grew up in the capital city, so I didn’t fully grasp the struggles faced in other parts, especially the rural areas, of my country,” Imad said. “Watching that video was a wake-up call, confronting me with the stark reality that many people’s experiences are far different from my own.”
This anger and frustration with the roles women were forced to occupy for survival caused her to create the nonprofit Sincerely, Her to provide former sex workers with the chance to recover from that extortion and hardship through sustainable entrepreneurship.
“Seeing children my age, and often younger, being forced into such a life struck me,” Imad said. “I wanted to help them reclaim their autonomy—basic needs like safe living conditions, food security, education, and most importantly, the right to choose.”
Her nonprofit supports women in starting their own businesses and becoming entrepreneurs. It then provides funding to launch these businesses and give these women a second chance at life.
Sincerely, Her also hosts workshops on topics ranging from finance to business strategies, and hosts mental health sessions to acknowledge the trauma many of these women face. This work is mainly supported by collaborating with other grassroots organizations that are actively involved in empowering women and addressing social issues at the local level.
In her first year at Michigan State, the Honors College selected Imad as a recipient of the Schoenl Family Undergraduate Grant for Dire Needs Overseas, which helps fund projects solving community-based problems outside the United States. The Schoenl family went above and beyond to support Imad’s nonprofit and its mission.
Imad posing for a selfie with Linda and Bill Schoenl
Bill Schoenl at the Honors College Scholarship Dinner“It means the world to me that they (the Schoenl family) believed in my passion and commitment to giving back to my community,” Imad said. “To have this support is a promise to both me and the good I am trying to foster; it is the start of a legacy and I hope to keep that passion ignited for years to come because of this grant.”
Imad’s involvement on campus – from receiving the Spartan Volunteer Service Award: A Presidential Recognition for 100+ community service hours at the Center for Community Engaged Learning, participation in the Women’s Leadership Institute, and more – have all been a direct result of her nonprofit work.
Imad was also awarded the Tomlanovich-Dimond Equity Research Fund by the Women’s Leadership Institute at the College of Social Science. Her research focuses on empowering trafficking survivors through collaborative, community-based approaches that foster resilience and long-term success.
Imad hopes her research and advocacy will not only contribute to effective solutions but also inspire broader policy changes to combat human trafficking and empower survivors on a global scale. She hopes to continue this work for the long term, with plans to attend law school and become a human rights lawyer.
Through founding Sincerely, Her, conducting research, and developing relationships within her community, Imad learned just how powerful women’s voices are when amplified. Her biggest inspiration can be found close to home: her mother.
“My mother has been a major inspiration for me – I’ve watched her succeed as a businesswoman and build a remarkable career, which has motivated me to strive for my best,” Imad said. “I realize that many women, even if they have the same aspirations, may not be able to make the sacrifices for their children that my mom made for me. I want to help bridge that gap.”
“The strength and sacrifices of my mother and other incredible women I’ve grown up around and been inspired by have shaped who I am today, and I’m determined to pass that strength on to others,” Imad said. “No, I will not sit down – I will rise, push boundaries, and go above and beyond to make my dreams a reality. And I hope to empower other women to do the same.”