Challenges are not the end of your story. They are just the beginning of something greater.” — Zainab Noori
From a young age, Zainab Noori was passionate about education, dreaming of a brighter future for herself and her community. Her dedication led her to excel academically, graduating at the top of her class and achieving an outstanding 320.79 score on Afghanistan’s Kankor university entrance exam. This accomplishment secured her a place in Kabul University’s Faculty of Public Policy and Administration.
My time at university was full of opportunities to grow. I studied English, competitive skills, public speaking, and human rights. I even joined motivational speaking and values programs—it was an exciting chapter of my life.
But Zainab’s journey faced a devastating setback when the Taliban banned women from universities on December 20, 2022. Overnight, her dreams of higher education in Afghanistan were shattered.
It was heartbreaking. Being barred from education was crushing—but I refused to give up. I knew I had to find another way.
Undeterred, Zainab secured admission to the American University of Afghanistan, studying Business Administration online. Alongside her studies, she took on professional roles with international organizations, working in HR management, teaching, and leadership. Today, she teaches Computer Science and English Literature at two online universities while successfully running her own business.
I realized education isn’t confined to a classroom—it’s about initiative, skill-building, and creating opportunities for yourself and others.
Zainab’s relentless pursuit of knowledge has earned her scholarships from U.S. universities, including Lewis University, Nazareth University (NY), and UC Berkeley, where she plans to study Computer Science. She also scored 130 on the Duolingo English Test and recently qualified for an international science competition, marking another milestone in her journey.
Beyond her achievements, Zainab empowers others through workshops on leadership, personal development, and effective communication, inspiring young women to persevere despite barriers.
To every girl who feels stuck: Don’t give up. Challenges are stepping stones to success. Believe in yourself, work hard, and seize every opportunity. Remember—challenges are just the beginning of something greater. Keep believing in yourself. The future is yours to shape.
Her voice is one of strength, hope, and inspiration for the next generation of Afghan women.
Never stop dreaming big.
