Pharmacy Scholarship Recognizes Underrepresented

new face of pharmacy scholarship

recognizes underrepresented minorities with leadership ability and commitment to pharmacy

(As Christians, we were one of the minority communities in my country, Iraq. The tragedy of war hampered us from their basic rights for examples freedom of speech, study, work and practice their religion. After the war at Iraq, we lived without a voice or even an effective presence with our friends, co-workers, and neighbors from the other communities. All of the Islamic communities were forcing their beliefs and traditions at us, and we were forced to obey and respect these rules without saying a word to what we think about it. As a woman, I had to wear hijab if I want to go outside of my house. Also, in a specific region of Iraq, Christians were forced to convert to Muslims in order to keep them a life. We moved to Iraq a couple of times from these specific regions because of that. Some of us tried to rise against this type of discrimination and not follow their traditions and rules, but they were faced with violence and death.

With all of this discrimination, we were returned respects to them. I was committed to serving individuals from all backgrounds with respect. My aunt taught me a lot about how to treat everybody in equal. She was one of the women who fought against these consequences when she completed her studies and worked as a pharmacist. I followed my aunt when I decide to work in her pharmacy as a destination. I saw her treating people from all backgrounds who needed to buy medicine. Some of the people I served were forcing the discrimination thoughts against us. I learned from her how to love everybody even the ones who hate us especially when they are suffering and need our help we need to be human and help them as our brothers and sisters. I served them with the utmost care and respect. I also feel that there is a need for people to shun discrimination based on gender, color, religion or creed. The reason for this is that I experienced discrimination as people made an effort to deny me to finish education in Iraq and I wouldn’t want anyone else feeling the rejection that I experienced back then.

After fleeing to the United States, I found that my classification as a minority was still a reality as due to my weak language. However, the freedom that I found in the US pushed me to learn and succeed against everything I failed in my country Iraq. The United States society is diverse they work and live together in the same country as one nation. The freedom encouraged me to participate in volunteering activities at the Alvarado Hospital, I have served patients from all ethnic backgrounds. I received respects as I was given, I felt like I was one of each race. I have always made a point of being respectful to everyone, and I make a point of being proactive and embracing empathic listening. Through this, I’m able to not only understand the patients’ concerns but to also talk to them in respect regardless of their background.)