Mills Matters Faculty Afghan expert speaks out Prior to joining Lead by Learning as its new director in April, Mizgon Zahir Darby’s varied career has included working as a journalist in the Bay Area and New York, directing in the nonprofit space, and founding a consulting firm. She’s also a second-generation Afghan American, her parents immigrating to the United States from Afghanistan in the late 1970s, and she grew up in the extensive Afghan diaspora of the East Bay. In August, in the midst of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan after a nearly 20-year occupation, Darby “There is a sense of betrayal, but
ripped out of their mothers’ arms at 12
media outlets—including CNN, the
more so [that it’s] another miscalcu-
or 13 years old to marry terrorists. They
Associated Press, and various Bay
lation on behalf of the government
may or may not survive. At the end of
Area news programs. She discussed
that has occurred in the story that is
the day, that question of survival is one
how the rise of the Taliban will likely
Afghanistan,” she told Brian Watt of
that is gut-wrenching.”
impact those left behind, including her
KQED Radio. “Women and girls have
own family members, and the compli-
lost their rights, but in addition, they’ve
Afghan Coalition in Fremont; learn more
cated emotions she and other Afghan
lost their humanity. My concern for
about their efforts to support the Afghan
Americans are feeling after these recent
women in Afghanistan is the same as it
community at afghancoalition.org.
developments.
would be in the US if they were being
shared her perspective with multiple
Darby has long worked with the
Donors bolster Mills during tough times Mills College appreciates the continuing generosity of our
◗ The estate of Rosalie Torres-Rioseco ’45 continued provid-
community members, including those who gave gifts, grants,
ing support to an eponymous Endowed Faculty Fund and
and pledges of $50,000 or more between January 1 and
an Endowed Scholarship, fulfilling Torres-Rioseco’s wish to
June 30, 2021.
support faculty salaries and student grants.
◗ Richard and Elaine Barrett, Mei Kwong ’70 and Laurence
Endowed Scholarship, which sponsors the studies of a
the Campus Optimization Fund, which aims to bring new
student of color in conjunction with the Alumnae of Color
revenue sources to Mills through partnerships with other
Committee of the AAMC.
organizations. ◗ Kwong and Franklin also pledged funds to Mills’ Greatest
◗ The Rogers Family Foundation made a pledge to the Rogers Foundation Lead by Learning Grant to continue its
Need, which enables the College to respond to its most
longtime support of the program formerly known as Mills
urgent needs. Catherine Coates ’65, Ann Mulally ’73, and
Teacher-Scholars.
Glenn and Ellen Voyles also donated to this fund. ◗ An anonymous donor and Alecia DeCoudreaux gave
6
◗ The Manitou Fund donated to the Alumnae of Color
Franklin, and Barbara Wolfe ’65 lent their support to
◗ Similarly, the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation renewed its support of Lead by Learning to bolster the
generously to the President’s Fund for Innovation, which
program’s mission to provide top-notch professional
directs much-needed resources to strategic priorities.
development to teachers already working in education.
M I L L S Q U A R T E R LY
