Razia Jan is the Founder of the Zabuli Education Center, Razia has worked for many years to forge connections between Afghans and Americans.
Born in Afghanistan, Razia moved to the United States in 1970. The proprietor of a small tailoring business in Duxbury, Massachusetts, for 20 years, she served as president of the town’s Rotary Club. She is a member of the Interfaith Council and No Place for Hate, and a member of the board of directors at Jordan Hospital. Razia has spoken on women and children’s issues at many venues in New York, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, and Afghanistan.
Razia has received many awards for her humanitarian work, including the 2007 Woman of Excellence award from Germaine Lawrence Inc., multiple Rotary Club International Peace Awards, and certificates of appreciation from the Army Corps of Engineers and the American Legion. In 2011 Razia was honored by the Duxbury Rotary Club with their inaugural Amazing Woman of the Year Award. In 2012, Razia was named a CNN Top 10 Hero. Razia also received the 2013 Speak for Thyself from The Alden House Historic Site and the 2013 American Muslim Women’s Empowerment Council Award. In 2014 she was named Social Innovator by the Lewis Institute at Babson College.
Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation is a nonprofit organization that empowers young women and girls in Afghanistan through community-based education in the district of Deh’Subz. Founded on the belief that education is key to positive, peaceful change for current and future generations, we provide young Afghans with the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, nurturing environment, so that they may work toward brighter futures — in their own villages and beyond.
Empowering Women TV Host: Beth Amine is one of our founding Ambassadors for our Empowering Women Santa Barbara-Hub.