Join Us for the Second Annual Lighting the Future Awards Ceremony

Saturday, April 12th, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Yale University

Elena's Light invites you to celebrate the resilience, leadership, and achievements of refugee and immigrant women in the New Haven community at our Second Annual Lighting the Future Awards Ceremony. This special evening honors extraordinary women who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, accomplishments, and perseverance in the face of significant challenges.

The event will feature inspiring stories shared by guest speaker Alia Seraj, daughter of Prince Abdul Ali Seraj of Afghanistan, community performances, and opportunities to connect with those committed to creating a brighter future for all.

Honoring Remarkable Women

At last year’s ceremony, we recognized several inspiring women who continue to lead positive change in their communities:

2024 Lighting the Future Awardees:

Azhar Ahmed – Education and Advocacy Award
A Sudanese refugee and Connecticut-based culinary entrepreneur, Azhar empowers immigrant women by teaching culinary skills and advocating for their rights and community integration.
Nour Al Zouabi – Social Justice & Health Equity Award
A Syrian refugee and public health advocate, Nour works to dismantle healthcare barriers for refugees and immigrants in the U.S., leveraging her experience and education at Yale.
Hossna Samadi – Leadership and Social Service Award
Originally from Afghanistan, Hossna has dedicated her work to supporting refugee and immigrant women through advocacy, fostering intercultural connections, and promoting their wellbeing in the New Haven community.

2024 Nominees:
We also recognized several incredible nominees who were acknowledged for their meaningful contributions:

Zehra Petwa – ARM, PMP, A-CSM, Board Member of IRIS
Tabitha Sookdeo – Executive Director at Connecticut Students for a Dream and J.D. Candidate
Nieda Abbas – Co-Founder of Havenly & Co-Executive Director of Operations
Dua Khan – Volunteer Sports Trainer for Refugees and Social Inclusion Advocate

This year, we look forward to recognizing a new group of inspiring women who continue to empower their communities. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 nominees and awardees.

About Elena’s Light

Founded in 2017 by Fereshteh Ganjavi, an Afghan refugee, educator, and advocate for women’s empowerment, Elena’s Light is dedicated to supporting refugee and immigrant women in achieving independence and self-sufficiency. As a refugee child in Iran, Fereshteh was denied formal education. Refusing to let this obstacle limit her, she started a school with her father to provide education for children who, like her, were excluded from schools.

Fereshteh’s experiences of overcoming educational barriers shaped her vision to create an organization that ensures refugee women have access to vital resources and opportunities for growth, education, and independence.

Today, Elena’s Light offers culturally tailored services that break down barriers for refugee women, including:

English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring
Health education
Driving permit test preparation
Legal rights presentation

All services are provided free of charge, with interpreter support to ensure accessibility for all. By equipping women with the tools and knowledge they need, Elena’s Light empowers them to build skills, gain confidence, and create better futures for themselves and their families.

Our Mission in Action

At the heart of our work is the belief that sharing stories and experiences has the power to inspire change. As Fereshteh Ganjavi, our founder and Executive Director, said:

“When we share our stories, we inspire others to embrace their own journey with courage and heart. Together, we are champions of resilience and change.”

Join Us

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of this year’s nominees and sharing a memorable evening with our community.

Visit our website to learn more and support our mission.

2025 Lighting the Future: Award Ceremony

By Elenas Light Inc

2025 Lighting the Future: Award Ceremony