I am Woman

by Faizun Kamal

Who am I?

I am a Bangladeshi American whose ancestors traveled down the famed Silk Route to Asia, became royal advisors to Mughal emperors, founded one of the oldest religious orders in the world, named the city I come from, and set in motion what would eventually become my family history.

I come from a long line of matriarchs. In the 1800s, when women were hidden away behind veils, my great-greatgrandmother was creating waves as a powerful and outspoken aristocrat. My great-grandmother married a prominent politician whose assassination changed the course of her life forever. As a young widow, she went on to raise her large family for the next eight decades. Everyone who knew my grandmother regarded her as a towering personality – she was barely five feet tall. My mother blazed trails in education in Asia and Africa, touching the lives of countless children – including my sister’s and mine. Every day, I try to live up to the legacy of these women. My own daughter knows she has a lot to accomplish as she grows up. In unexpected moments, I sometimes catch glimpses of their spirit in me. Their roots give me wings.

I am a serial entrepreneur. The secret of my success is very simple. Love. And killer customer service.

I am a stoic. I believe the obstacle is the way.

I am a wife, a mother, a sister. My family keeps me buoyant.

I am a best-selling author. Through my words, I am privileged to touch the lives of people who I will never meet.

I believe in miracles. I don’t believe in coincidences.

I am a glorious mess and a complete paradox.

I am woman.