Berkeley

Ayah Hamdan: ‘I’ve Learned Self-advocacy is the Most Important Skill in Life’

Published

6 years ago

May 17, 2019

I’ve been a part of a number of different groups at Berkeley. When I first got here, I joined the Muslim Student Association and Students for Justice in Palestine because those are my two main identities. Aside from being American, I’m Muslim and Palestinian. And I wanted to find people I could relate to on an identity level.

For the past few semesters, my main focus has been regarding Islamophobia’s impact on public health. I’ve explored the issue in my classes, presented on it and wrote an article for a student-led journal called the Public Health Advocate. Under the Center for Race and Gender, there is an Islamophobia Studies Center. And I’ve been volunteering with them for a while, just helping plan different conferences that are held here at Cal. My main project has been putting together a report about how Islamophobia impacts public health. That’s been my main extracurricular commitment outside of classes lately.

Berkeley was a lot of stimuli in a short period of time. Berkeley is learning a lot about your field of study and learning a lot about yourself and your capacities and your limitations and your own identity.

I’ve learned that academia is a place for me. Coming to Berkeley from community college, I felt like I was going to be dumber than the other students who were here. But I learned that I can thrive in academia, as long as I’m willing to hold people accountable for treating me fairly. I’ve learned self-advocacy is the most important skill in life — not letting any authority figure, other students, make me feel like I can’t do something. It’s all about having that belief in myself.

I’m starting my master’s in science and epidemiology at Harvard in the fall. As a public health person, I’m passionate about pretty much everything, ranging from refugee health to diabetes prevention to treating cardiovascular disease. I would like to get a Ph.D. in a public health-related discipline. I would like to do research on maternal health within refugee communities, especially in the Middle East. That’s my aim, but we’ll see where I end up. I love my field of study. I love public health.

So, at this point, since I have been able to balance my family responsibilities with the really rigorous academics here with my other passions, as far as social justice work, I feel like I can handle anything. I think that’s something that you hear from other students at Cal. You hear it in the classroom. Once you conquer Berkeley, you can take on anything.

Ayah Hamdan

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Related Topics:Islamophobia Muslim Student Association

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Bay Area

Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

Oakland Post

Progressive Missionary Baptist Poster. Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley with his wife, Kay Frances Stuckey.

By Oakland Post Staff

The Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is celebrating its 90th church anniversary on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at 3301 King Street in Berkeley.

The celebration will feature Pastor Darnell Manuel of the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo as guest speaker, along with many other special presentations.

Those who wish to share in Progressive’s history can purchase a 100-page full-colored souvenir book for $25.

The church boasts a number of notable people who either regularly attended or became members of the church since its inception, including former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, and one of the organizers of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Helen J. H. Stephens.

Pastor Stuckey often remarks how longevity flourishes at the church — it boasts 13 centenarians (people who have reached 100 years or more). Currently, it has one centenarian who is still surviving, Mrs. Dorothy Chambers, and 14 members who have reached 90 years or more.

Recently, on Feb.17, the pastor and his wife Kay Frances, celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Faces Around the Bay: Author Karen Lewis Took the ‘Detour to Straight Street’

“My life has been a roller-coaster with an unlimited ride wristband! I was raised in Berkeley during the time of Ron Dellums, the Black Panthers, and People’s Park. I was a Hippie kid, my Auntie cut off all our hair so we could wear the natural styles like her and Angela Davis.

Published

1 month ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Karen Lewis. Courtesy photo.

By Barbara Fluhrer

I met Karen Lewis on a park bench in Berkeley. She wrote her story on the spot.

I got married young, then ended up getting divorced, raising two boys into men. After my divorce, I had a stroke that left me blind and paralyzed. I was homeless, lost in a fog with blurred vision.

Jesus healed me! I now have two beautiful grandkids. At 61, this age and this stage, I am finally free indeed. Our Lord Jesus Christ saved my soul. I now know how to be still. I lay at his feet. I surrender and just rest. My life and every step on my path have already been ordered. So, I have learned in this life…it’s nice to be nice. No stressing, just blessings. Pray for the best and deal with the rest.

Nobody is perfect, so forgive quickly and love easily!”

Lewis’ book “Detour to Straight Street” is available on Amazon.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

2 months ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.