In Memory of Razia Jan,
a leader whose vision changed lives.
Razia Jan was the heart and soul of Razia’s Ray of Hope, a visionary humanitarian, a tireless advocate for girls' education, and a beacon of compassion and courage.
Razia believed deeply in the power of education to change the world. Her unwavering convictions transformed thousands of lives in Afghanistan and inspired countless others around the globe. Through her work, she offered not only education but dignity, hope, and opportunity to girls and women.
Thanks to her extraordinary foresight, she built a strong, sustainable foundation to ensure that Razia’s Ray of Hope would thrive beyond her lifetime. The dedicated team she mentored in Afghanistan, the support of her loving family in the U.S. and abroad, and a global community of donors and advocates will carry her vision forward with the same fierce hope and determination she exemplified every day.
Though Razia is no longer with us, her light lives on in every girl who learns to read, dreams of what’s possible, and dares to lead.
Share a Memory
We invite you to share a memory, story, or note of how Razia inspired you. Your words will help keep her spirit alive in the community she built.
We'll compile all messages to share here and with Razia's family.
Former First Lady, Laura Bush
"Razia Jan represents the strong, resilient, and determined women of Afghanistan. As a teacher, she cleverly taught her young female students to write their fathers’ names first, rather than their own names. Her tactic instilled pride in these girls’ fathers, who couldn’t read or write themselves, and who then gave their daughters permission to continue their education.
I was fortunate to have known the remarkable Razia Jan through the George W. Bush Institute’s Afghan Women’s Project, and I am proud we share her story in our book, We Are Afghan Women. Razia never stopped fighting for the full participation of women in every aspect of society, and through the Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation, her efforts to educate and support young girls will continue for years to come."
Khaled Hosseini,
Afghan-American Novelist & Humanitarian
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Razia Jan, a relentless advocate for the right of Afghan girls to education. She was brave and wise and kind. I will miss her dearly. May she rest in peace.
Joan Powers,
Rotary Club of Scituate
So sorry to hear Razia passed away. She was a special lady and it was a privilege to have known here. Sending love and prayers.
Cyndi King
I was honored to hear her speak at Rotary when I lived in MA. Her heart shone right through her being. May her legacy live on in all the girls to women she empowered through education. Prayers for her family and friends in their grief. To those who are educated as a result of her efforts please continue her great work. Yours in Rotary Service, Cyndi
Amanda Watkin
Saddened to learn of Razia’s passing. I had the pleasure and honour or meeting and staying with her back in 2011 in Kabul. Her dedication to the education of girls and support for the rights of women was an inspiration with lessons I have never forgotten RIP
Lori Roll
I’m so sorry to learn this! 💔Razia was a brave woman who brought so much good to the world. She was a tireless fighter with the vision of helping the girls and women of her country. Her heart and legacy live on in the lives she changed and the courage she shared. Blessings. ❤️
Aziza Begham
Today Afghanistan lost a true hero by losing Razia Jan. She could lived peacefully and without any worries with her only son but she chose to be there for the women of Afghanistan, she chose to stand for the women back home and that’s the reason she is and always will be in heart of every person she ever met. May her soul rest in peace and may Allah grant her the Highest rank in Jannah Inshah Allah ❤️ She will always be in my prayers.
Andrea Geyling-Moore,
Milton Academy
Razia Jan was a profound inspiration to so many students and adults at Milton Academy (even long after her son Lars graduated). I am forever grateful for the visits she paid to my classes and our broader school community to share her story and vision for educating girls in Afghanistan. We will continue to follow with great admiration the powerful work of Razia's Ray of Hope, and send our deepest condolences and wishes of peace to her family.
Heidi Agostini
I was fortunate to have served as her photographer for a few days while in Bamyan. She was an extraordinary person and humanitarian. Meeting her was one of the biggest honors of my life.
Susie Greenberg
My husband, Alan, and I were fortunate to meet Razia several years ago through my daughter, Karen Wong. Karen went to Afghanistan with Razia to photograph her school. We had dinner one evening in Los Angeles with Razia and Lars...I will never forget Razia's kindness, dedication, and intelligence. The world is a darker place without her....Rest in peace...and love.
Ashley Stehn
So very sorry to hear this news. A remarkable, kind, savvy, brave, determined woman who helped change so many lives for the better & never seemed deterred by setbacks & obstacles. She will be so missed. I was honored to meet her a few times over the years & to follow all the successes with your school. It just seems like Razia should have lived forever. An incredible role model for us all. Sending love to all.
Laura Smolcha,
Sharon Public Schools
It was a privilege to be even a small part of Razia’s orbit over these past many years. Razia was fierce. Fierce in her determination to ensure that the girls in Afghanistan got everything they needed. Fierce in her belief in equality and opportunity for all. Fierce in her pride and love for the girls and young women at the Zabuli Center. Fierce in her right to take and claim space. Yet for all this strength she exuded, she was gentle. She loved to laugh, and took time to find out how people were doing. I’m so glad to have been able to work with her and connect so many of my students with such a remarkable role model. I know we will all work to ensure her legacy continues.
Marc Jacobsen
I was crushed to hear about Razia's passing. While my time spent with her in Afghanistan was brief, her commitment to the girls and her tenacity in working with, around, or simply through the tribal leaders was not just admirable but set an example for so many who sought just outcomes in unjust environments. You are right in that her legacy will be enduring.
Lara
Razia was so incredibly kind and generous with me when I came to Kabul to research making a film about her and the schools. She helped me find my feet, provided beautiful food and gave me brilliant insights. Her creative and resilient work supporting Afghan women and girls is deeply inspirational and her stories of defiance in grace and dignity live with me every day. I honour her kindness and generosity that she showed me and her complete example of how to be a brilliant leader and advocate.
Samantha Docherty
It’s Razia’s example that inspired me to support two girls from Kindergarten to presently year 5. My daughter has been involved in letter writing to the students from the start and feels a connection with these young girls across the other side of the world who are taking their education journey at the same time. With great admiration and gratitude to the courage, leadership and kindness personified by Razia. Love Sam and Grace xx
Suzanne Weisspond
I first heard of Razia and her work running a girl's school in Afghanistan through a documentary shown at the Woods Whole film festival. I was so moved by the film that I immediately sponsored one, then eventually, two girls. Their beautiful letters are a joy to receive! I had the honor of being invited to a gathering honoring Razia held on the North Shore ( Ma.) . I drove from my home in Cape Cod just to meet Razia. She was indeed an exceptional person. I will never forget that meeting and continue to support her valuable cause. Education of all people in every country represents the hope of the world I envision for a better peace and cooperation.
Marie Cromwell
In 2018 the Dorothy Day Lectures had Razia speak to an audience of alumni, faculty and students. She spoke of her work with girls in Afghanistan. Then high school girls could also attend classes. I have hosted a girl every year since.
Robin Noonin-Price
I was so sorry to hear about Razia’s passing. She created an amazing legacy. Thank you all for continuing her inspiring work.
Angela Ponte
Rotary District 7950
Quincy Rotary Club Massachusetts
Too many memories to pick one starting with Operation Shoe Fly to the present. Here is a photo of the 2 of us at the Rotary convention 2022 in Houston, Texas Angela Ponte, District Governor 2023-2024 District 7950 Quincy Rotary Club Quincy, MA USA
Janet Schmidt
Rotary Club of Scituate, MA
I met Razia when she was president of the Duxbury, MA Rotary Club and was immediately drawn to her. This was before 2011 and before her return to Afghanistan. My Rotary Club supported her post 2011 activities and her initial efforts to build a school-as impossible as it sounded. Several of us still support students. I was most taken by her fearlessness and her faith which I am certain made her vision and caring possible. The world IS a darker place without her. That a light still shines in her school is witness to her being. What a blessing we've had!
Pamela Schaecher
AMAYA Textiles
We first came to know Razia and her mission to educate girls through the documentary "What Tomorrow Brings" when it first came out. We were so touched by the story and it since it is something we believe in so deeply that we immediately donated. From there we began sponsoring girls so they could attend school.
Razia was an truly amazing person! To watch how she convinced the men in the conservative rural village that education their daughters would be good for their future as well as the village was remarkable. She built the education center that went from strength to strength, educating and bringing joy and companionship to countless girls.
She left this world a much better place.
Joyce Baird
I was honored to meet Razia personally when she traveled to my small town, Pittsboro, North Carolina, to give a talk and encourage others to become a sponsor for a girl in Afghanistan. She brought me a lovely scarf which I’m wearing in the photo with her. She’s made a huge difference in the lives,of girls in Afghanistan. I continue sponsoring girls education at the Zabuli school.
Michelle Hughes
I had the incredible privilege of meeting with Razia in 2016. I was developing a special course on international development and the rule of law in conflict for Loyola University Chicago School of Law. I had been supporting Afghan women's education and Razia's Ray of Hope ever since I served in Afghanistan with the military in 2010, and I wanted to incorporate some of Razia's operating philosophies into my course. Razia graciously agreed to meet with me, and in true Afghan style, we shared a long and heartfelt conversation over tea. I left feeling like I had been given a gift -- her grace, wisdom, and warmth made a lasting impression, and I've been incorporating lessons I learned from her into my education and development work ever since. Quite simply, Razia Jan was truly a remarkable woman, and I was blessed to have been able to meet her.
Carol Langford
Duxbury Interfaith Council
Razia inspired me greatly. For years and I have been sponsoring a girl in her school. Razia was so fearless and wise. She looked at the big picture and had amazing perseverance and optimism.
Sylvia Vriesendorp
Razia jan will remain an example of what this saying means: 'where there is a will there is a road.' She is an inspiration, showing that if you care enough you will find a way around obstacles. I loved how she overcame the resistance of the Deh Sabz men to build a school for girls ("no, we need schooling for boys!") - she sat down with them, and convinced them that educating girls was good for everyone. There are too many other examples to describe here of her not budging when something or someone stood in her way. A light has gone out in the world but she has lit hundreds more.
Liz Gray
In 2014, after learning more about the lack of education for girls in Afghanistan during a unit I taught on poverty, several of my 6th grade students asked me about starting a middle school club and supporting Razia’s foundation. Thus began my journey with Razia and the Zabuli Education Center. Razia was a gift! Her generosity, courage, dedication and determination was boundless. The girls in the village were blessed to have Razia “fighting” for their rights. Her passion was evident when she met with my students. It was an honor to listen to her stories, to Skype with her students, and to support her vision. She will be greatly missed. Sending love to all.
Ashley Stehn
A remarkable, kind, savvy, brave, determined woman who helped change so many lives for the better & never seemed deterred by setbacks & obstacles. She will be so missed. I was honored to meet her a few times over the years & to follow all the successes of her school. It just seems like Razia should have lived forever. An incredible role model for us all. Sending love to all.
Rafiullah Mominyar
Greetings. May her soul rest in peace, may her memory be forever cherished. (Razieh Jan Sharifi) Razieh Jan Sharifi was a science-loving, benevolent person, and one of the most successful figures in the field of science. We, the people of Deh Yahya village, will forever cherish the services she has rendered in the field of education and upbringing of our children and our needy families, and we pray for her. And finally, we wish that this foundation and educational institution will be successful as usual. Thank you Rafiullah (Momen Yar)