Sonita!

Sonita Alizada has an amazing story of overcoming overwhelming the hardship and adversity of growing up as a refugee in a culture which continues the practice of forcing young girls into marriage.   Hers is hardly the only culture to practice this – over 12 million girls are sold into marriage every year!

Sonita grew up in a refugee camp in Iran nurturing an obsession with rap (she thinks of Michael Jackson and Rihanna as her spiritual parents!).  As she fought to avoid escape the same fate as so many other girls, she used her natural talent as a rapper and songwriter to help bring global awareness to this  practice, and help advocate for it to be abolished. To learn more, go to Sonita’s website: https://www.sonita.net

Sonita’s story and incredible work have gained such global attention and respect that her life story was made into a feature-length film which won awards at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.  In partnership with the Speed Museum, WE Day KY, the Muhammad Ali Center and the World Affairs Council, “Sonita” will be screened on March 20th at 12:30 as part of the Sunday Showcase   Sonita will join the audience online for a Q&A at the end of the film.  This event is open to the public on a first come first served basis and is free of charge.  https://www.speedmuseum.org/cinema/sunday-showcase-sonita/

Of course you can hear from Sonita in person and watch her perform on of her many original songs at WE Day Kentucky on April 20th!  We hope you’ll join us!  You’ll be glad that you did!