Untold Story #92: Meet Amra Sabin-El-Rayess

Today’s woman was born in Bosnia to a Muslim family full of love. During her youth, Bosnia came under siege and she was nearly killed by a bomb. As time passed and the Bosnian genocide took place, she felt like she was in an emotional whirlpool that she just couldn’t escape. She held onto her sanity by teaching herself math, physics and other subjects.  And after many attempts to leave Bosnia and the horror happening there, she finally got out and eventually made her way to America. In America, she found a way to continue learning, going on to earn two masters and a doctorate from Columbia University.  Today, as a professor at Columbia, she uses her journey and her education to teach others why societies fall apart and what role education can play in rebuilding decimated countries. In addition, she explores concrete ways to facilitate women’s social mobility. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Amra Sabin-El-Rayess.