When I had a big career decision to make – should I leave my promising private law practice and enter the nonprofit field – it was actually a no-brainer.

Our 2014 Courageous Voice Honoree, Mercy Cooper, broke free of an abusive relationship, and today, helps train police officers to recognize and respond to domestic violence. The former Tahirih client will be honored at our 17th Annual Greater DC Gala.

Miller-Muro described as tireless advocate for immigrant women’s rights.

Layli Miller-Muro, who founded Tahirih in 1997, will be honored as part of UNA-NCA’s annual Human Rights Awards Reception.

Society is in a stage of adolescence, and equality between women and men is a necessary condition for growth, Tahirih Founder and Executive Director Layli Miller-Muro told an audience Oct. 15 at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs.

“It’s so nice that those of us that have gone through such difficult times have a chance to get together and celebrate something,” a client in Houston said.

The two women met for the first time last week at a sleek Georgetown hotel, where they were speakers at a glittering charity dinner. They shook hands and hugged across a vast gulf of culture, geography and faith: one a devout Muslim from West Africa with her hair carefully hidden under a tight scarf, the other a gregarious South Asian in a stylish sari and costume earrings.