Hagir S. Elsheikh
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Hagir S. Elsheikh | |
|---|---|
هاجر الشيخ | |
| Born | 1977 (age 46–47) |
| Occupation(s) | Human rights activist, entrepreneur |
Hagir S. Elsheikh is a Sudanese-American human rights activist, entrepreneur, author, nurse. She is the founder of the non-profit Tomorrow's Smile Inc. and is the owner of HSE Staffing Agency LLC.
Early life[edit]
Hagir Elsheikh was born in 1977 in the small Sudanese village of Tandalti,[1] where her father was a physician's assistant. Her father's job meant the family would often travel and share their resources with others, and they eventually relocated to the Sudanese capital Khartoum.[citation needed]
Growing up under Sharia Islamic Law meant that Elsheikh's rights were restricted from a very young age and as she neared adulthood she became one of the few female activists who spoke publicly for the Democratic Forefront. Because of her vocal opinions, Elsheikh was often detained and beaten.[2] Security forces once hung her from a tree and beat her for 10 hours, then left her bloodied body in front of her home. Years later, the government militia detained and tortured her further and cracked her head open with a metal bar.[citation needed]
After repeated political violence and torture, and finding she was wanted by the military junta of Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Elsheikh fled Sudan.[3] Newly married and pregnant, she arrived in Egypt where she applied for refugee status.[citation needed]
Career[edit]
After earning her CNA certificate, Hagir continued to study and went on to become a Registered Nurse.[citation needed]
In 2013, she founded HSE Staffing Agency, LLC, a healthcare staffing agency serving all of Pennsylvania. HSE provides nursing, allied healthcare, and advance practice with many of the Commonwealth's top hospitals and healthcare facilities.[4]
Elsheikh also founded the nonprofit organization Tomorrow's Smile, Inc. which is aimed at combatting domestic violence.[5]
Hagir also sits on several Boards and volunteers her time and resources with a number of organizations including HACC,[6] Central Penn Community College, Church World Service,[7] Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness, the YWCA, Pennsylvania Alliance Against Human Trafficking, TASSC,[8] and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.[citation needed]
Awards[edit]
- Central Penn Business Journal Woman of Influence, 2017.[9]
- Pennsylvania Distinguished Woman, 2018[10]
- GCU Hall of Fame, 2019[11][12]
- PennLive Tribute to Black Leaders[13]
References[edit]
- ^ Binda, Larry (2017-09-29). "Never Settled: Hagir Elsheikh may have finally found a home, but that doesn't mean she's stopped moving". TheBurg. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ Coley, Shiloah (2022-07-07). "Finding where the sky meets the sand with TASSC board member Hagir Elsheikh". The Phillips Collection. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ "Israel and US Jews should support democracy in Sudan". Washington Jewish Week. 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Meet Hagir: A Social Advocate and Business Leader". Harrisburg Area Community College.
- ^ "Women Transforming Societies: The Global Fight for Human Rights". University of Pennsylvania.
- ^ "Board of Trustees". Hacc.edu.
- ^ "Staff Contacts". Church World Service.
- ^ "Team". Torture Abolition And Survivors Support Coalition International. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- ^ admin (2017-04-05). "2017 Women of Influence A-G". Central Penn Business Journal.
- ^ HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 1091
- ^ Larrison, Ashlee (February 27, 2019). "GCU Hall of Famer survived and then thrived". GCU News.
- ^ Larrison, Ashlee (March 4, 2019). "Inductees honored, inspired at Hall of Fame ceremony". GCU News.
- ^ DeJesus, Ivey (2021-02-17). "Honoring a journey: Pa. woman goes from political refugee to award-winning CEO, advocate, mentor". The Patriot-News.