In brief
Razia Jan significantly impacted the lives of Afghan girls by founding a school that thrived even under Taliban rule; she passed away in July at the age of 81.
Razia Jan, an inspiring Afghan-born U.S. citizen, entrepreneur, and education advocate, passed away on July 20 at the age of 81, at her home in Echo Park, Los Angeles. The cause of her death was congestive heart failure, as confirmed by her son, Lars Jan.Before the 9/11 attacks, Ms. Jan successfully ran a dry-cleaning business in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Following the events of September 11, she returned to her homeland after over three decades in the U.S. to emphasize the importance of educating young girls in Afghanistan, particularly after the Taliban's rise to power.A vibrant figure, Ms. Jan became a passionate advocate for Afghan culture, engaging with local community groups and educating them about her homeland. She dedicated herself to helping the victims of 9/11 by making fleece blankets for first responders and quilting remembrances for families impacted by the tragedy. Her mission was further fueled by her bond with other women affected by the attacks.In 2005, after returning to Afghanistan for the first time in over thirty years, Ms. Jan identified girls' education as the most pressing need in a war-torn country. She established the Zabuli Education Center in Deh’Subz, a rural community outside Kabul, offering free education to girls and overcoming significant cultural and societal barriers to make it a reality.She successfully rallied local community support through endless meetings, demonstrating her diplomatic skills and fluency in multiple languages, including Dari and Pashto. The school opened initially with over 100 girls from kindergarten to fourth grade, gradually adding more grades as the school grew.Despite the challenges posed by traditional customs and the threat from extremists, Ms. Jan was unwavering in her commitment to keep young girls educated. Her innovative methods frequently involved negotiating compromises to ensure girls could continue their education even amid early marriages and societal pressures.Critically, in the aftermath of the Taliban's return in 2021, she was forced to close both her secondary school and a women's college. Nevertheless, she remained undeterred, focusing her energy on expanding enrollment at the primary school. Razia Jan was born in Quetta, Pakistan, into a well-to-do family and pursued education herself, which she brought back to Afghanistan. Acknowledged for her humanitarian contributions, Ms. Jan was named one of CNN's "Heroes" in 2012. Despite the Taliban's oppressive restrictions on girls' education, her legacy thrives as she managed to keep the doors of her school open with a record enrollment of 810 students.Survivors include her son and several family members, reflecting a life dedicated to the education and empowerment of Afghan girls. Ms. Jan’s legacy of unwavering support for women’s education continues to inspire future generations.
