Today we’d like to introduce you to Fatuma Ahmed. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Pamoja Women is a non-profit organization serving African Heritage women and girls located at 829 3rd Ave SE, Suite 205, Rochester, MN. Pamoja is a Swahili word that means “United.” The purpose of Pamoja Women is to support African women and their families in overcoming barriers and providing opportunities for women to spread their wings, be limitless, and prosper. At Pamoja Women, knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of other cultures and cultural identities are critical to success. We take pride in our culture and are happy to share our backgrounds, identities, and festivals with others. Fatuma Ahmed & Khadija Ali, the founders of Pamoja Women, met at a preschool in Northrop almost 5 years ago while dropping their kids off at school, and the rest is history.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a new organization can be challenging for any group, let alone a BIPOC women-led organization. Some challenges we encountered were limited access to resources and funding, systemic barriers and discrimination, continuously proving that you are legit and your work is credible, and lack of representation and visibility. However, it’s important to remember that resilience, community support, and determination will help overcome these challenges. It’s inspiring to see BIPOC women leading an organization and making a positive impact!
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
As a one-stop resource center, we have worked hard to get where we are now. We might be small, but we are mighty with our work. It started with two women who believed that we needed to have a platform where women and girls could go for resources, socialization, cultural food pantry, education, and having women who look like them, understand them, and represent them. to having 20 volunteers who speak different languages to serve the community.
- Khadija Ali is the co-founder of Pamoja Women’s Organization. She lives in Rochester, MN, with her family. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Winona State Univesity.
- Fatuma Ahmed -She resides in Rochester, MN, with her family, is co-founder of the Pamoja Women Organization, and is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Public Health.
What does success mean to you?
For Pamoja Women Organization, success would be defined by our positive impact on the lives of the women we serve. It means creating a supportive community where women feel empowered, heard, and valued. Success for Pamoja Women involves providing resources, opportunities, and a platform for BIPOC women to thrive and lead. It’s about breaking down barriers, promoting equality, and championing social justice. Ultimately, our success is measured by the tangible difference we make in the lives of the women we serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pamojawomen.org
- Instagram: @pamojawomen_
- Facebook: Pamoja Women
Image Credits
The cultural event pictures were taken by @rochester_mn and @ab_photography_us. Henna Class with Alya Mubarak, a higher schooler teaching the class at Franklin Elementary.
