Lucy Ferriss, co-founder of Afghan Female Student Outreach (AFSO), will present an Open VISIONS Forum: Espresso lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dolan School of Business Event Hall. Tickets are available at quickcenter.com.
In her presentation titled “Education Is Her Weapon: AFSO’s Mission in Afghanistan,” Ferriss will discuss the organization's commitment to helping return Afghan women to intellectual and professional life.
Ferriss is co-founder and president of the board for AFSO, an organization that aims to equip future women leaders of Afghanistan with education and experience. AFSO offers seminars in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, and health sciences with university professors from around the world, including Fairfield University English Professor Sonya Huber, PhD.
In her presentation, Ferriss will share the organization's work in recruiting, educating, and preparing Afghan women for eventual enrollment in a degree-granting institution by providing access to synchronous distance learning. She will be joined on stage by Dr. Huber and Fairfield University students Maryam Gharmal ’26 and Grace Lannigan ’25.
Dr. Huber teaches a community-engaged learning course that brings Fairfield University and AFSO students together to explore the ethics and practice of writing memoirs and personal essays. “The medium of personal stories of lived experience reveals that no matter what oppression we face and where in the world we live, we can connect on the values of shared humanity, access to education, and gender equality,” she said.
Gharmal and Lannigan worked with the Center for Social Impact to plan this powerful lecture event. Both are extremely passionate about supporting AFSO's mission.
Gharmal is a dedicated advocate and driving force behind efforts to improve Afghan women’s access to education. She founded and is current president of Fairfield’s Pathways to Afghan Girls’ Education and Advocacy Club, which seeks to raise funds for AFSO with the goal of sponsoring 10 women. “Education is a right that can break cycles of injustice, and it's a freedom every girl deserves. As an advocate for women's rights, I believe education is key to empowering those whose voices have long been silenced. Together, we can raise our voices, drive change, and ensure every girl has the opportunity to shape her own future,” Gharmal said.
