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Najah Bazzy is an American humanitarian, interfaith leader, nurse, and founder and CEO of Zaman International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and its causes.[1]

Early life and education

Bazzy was born in Dearborn, Michigan. Both her father and grandfather worked at the Ford factory located in Dearborn (the Ford River Rouge complex); her grandfather was one of the first workers employed at the factory.[2] She earned her nursing degree from Madonna University.[3]

Career

Bazzy has worked as a critical care nurse and as a transcultural nurse.[4]

Bazzy served as an adjunct professor for the Institute of International Health at Michigan State University. In 1997, she co-founded the Young Muslim Association.[5]

In 1996, in her role as a transcultural nurse, Bazzy was caring the baby of an Iraqi refugee family at Beaumont Hospital.[4] She arranged for home hospice care, and was struck by the condition of poverty the family lived in.[6] This motivated her to focus on poverty alleviation, and her efforts led to her founding Zaman International in 2004, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and its causes.[7] Zaman is run by volunteers and estimates having helped over 3 million people across 20 countries.[8] In addition to providing food and clothes to families in need, Zaman International has grown to provide vocational education, an infant burial program, and international humanitarian relief.[3]

In 2022, Bazzy was appointed to the Michigan Humanities Council board by Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer.[9]

COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bazzy leveraged Zaman's resources to provide pandemic-specific relief. The organization helped with food distribution and started offering virtual support to the vocational program.[10] Bazzy also worked with the board for the Governor of Michigan on Michigan's COVID-19 vaccination plan.[11]

Awards and honors

  • In 2019, Bazzy was recognized as a CNN Hero for founding Zaman International[12]
  • In 2020, Bazzy was awarded an honorary Ph.D. in Humanities from the Oakland University School of Medicine[9]
  • In 2020, Bazzy's smile was featured on the packaging for Lay's brand potato chips, a campaign focused on raising awareness of charity leaders and their organizations[10]
  • In 2021, Bazzy was included on the list of Crain's Detroit Business 100 Most Influential Women[7]
  • In 2022, Bazzy was named Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News[7]
  • In 2022, Bazzy was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame for her efforts on combating poverty[8]
  • In 2023, Bazzy was named as one of USA Today's Women of the Year, which recognizes women who have made a significant impact across the country[13]

References

  1. ^ Metz, Austin (19 March 2023). "Humanitarian, interfaith leader named USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from Michigan". The Holland Sentinel. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  2. ^ Ahmed, Akbar (June 2010). Journey Into America The Challenge of Islam. Brookings Institution Press. p. 247. ISBN 9780815704409. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Rahal, Sarah (3 December 2020). "Najah Bazzy: Zaman International makes a worldwide difference". The Detroit News. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Najah Bazzy Founder and CEO Zaman International". Crain's Detroit Business. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Najah Bazzy Founder and CEO, Zaman International". Harvard University. 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  6. ^ Rahman, Nargis (8 April 2022). "Global Woman Magazine names Najah Bazzy a female Muslim thought leader". wdet.org. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Gasorski, Briana (2 April 2022). "Global Woman Magazine recognizes Najah Bazzy among top six Muslim female thought leaders". ArabAmericanNews.com. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  8. ^ a b Javed, Faraz; Frederick, Collin (20 March 2023). "Muslim philanthropist, health care leader bags USA Today's Women of the Year honor". WXYZ-TV. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions" (Press release). Michigan. Executive Office of the Governor Communications Division. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  10. ^ a b Khan, Nisa (14 September 2020). "Michigan leaders' charity work lands them on Lay's potato chip bags". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  11. ^ Doghman, Kassem (27 February 2023). "Interview with Najah Bazzy – CEO of Zaman International". Henry Ford College. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  12. ^ Toner, Kathleen (12 September 2019). "She started helping Detroit's impoverished community in her house. Now, her nonprofit has reached 250,000 people". CNN. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Meet USA TODAY's Women of the Year". USA Today. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.


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