About the Author
Rana Abdelhamid is the founder and executive director of Malikah, a non-profit organization dedicated to building safety and power for marginalized communities through self-defense education, financial literacy, and mental health resources. As a community organizer and social entrepreneur, her work centers on addressing issues of violence and discrimination faced by underserved communities. Her passion for social impact was sparked by her experiences as a survivor of a hate-based attack and as a child of immigrants growing up as a Muslim woman in New York City.
Abdelhamid served as the youngest board member of Amnesty International USA for six years. In 2022, she ran for U.S. Congress to represent her home district, mobilizing thousands of people around issues of housing and healthcare access. Her work is widely recognized, with accolades including the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, a NYC Council Proclamation, and the Truman Scholarship. She has been featured in outlets such as CNN, NBC News, and Teen Vogue. Rana holds a BA in political science and economics from Middlebury College and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School.
