Bard Alumna Sonita Alizada ’23 Profiled in Forbes

Bard alumna Sonita Alizada ’23, a Rhodes Scholar and human rights activist, was profiledin Forbes magazine. Born under Taliban rule, Alizada faced the threat of child marriage at the ages of 10 and 16 before finding her voice through music. She has since performed on global stages and collaborated with artists and organisations that share her mission, and she has also addressed world leaders and worked with NGOs such as the UN, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International to push for change. “Today, Sonita’s message is simple but profound: never underestimate the power of your voice,” writes Mandeep Rai for Forbes. “Dreams, she insists, are the ultimate weapon. Her journey is more than a story—it is a committed call to action, urging women to support one another and the world to take responsibility for girls in Iran, Afghanistan, and beyond.”
 

Post Date: 03-17-2026