Uplifting the voices of women shaping our communities
A community is only as strong as the hands that build it, and across our welcoming communities, many of those hands belong to women. From ways both visible and unseen, they lead through small acts of kindness and support, through advocacy and service, and through the quiet strength it takes to start over in a new country.
During Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting remarkable women in our welcoming community. From Afghan newcomer Rokhsar Oria, determined to give back by helping others in her new country, to Bri Stensrud leading a national coalition with Women of Welcome, and more, these women exemplify the leadership, compassion, and determination that strengthen our welcoming community.
Bri Stensrud, Director of Women of Welcome
At Women of Welcome, Bri leads a national community dedicated to the intersection of immigration and welcoming as a Christian value. Her work focuses on shifting the immigration narrative from fear to proximity and understanding.
“When so many are looking at the enormity of the problem, women are eager to meet with people. Something can always be done,” Bri said. “Women all over this country are choosing proximity to people in ways they've been told are too dangerous, too generous, and too naive… They're finding out that immigrants and refugees aren't to be feared, they are instead incredible friends, and bring about a fellowship that so many of our local communities are in desperate need of beholding.”
Bri believes that women bring a unique, collaborative quality to leadership and welcoming.
“They're finding joy in hosting baby showers for women whose husbands have been detained or deported, they're walking with families through courtroom hallways to provide peace, they're delivering meals to frightened families,” she shared. “Women change the world, and women can change the world through their welcome.”
Rokhsar Oria, Afghan newcomer
A graduate of the American University of Afghanistan, Rokhsar Oria has always been a leader. Before she and her family were forced to flee the Taliban takeover, she worked with international organizations like USAID to build a better future for her country.
While her journey to the U.S. in 2024 was supported by the persistence of U.S. Navy veteran Matt McNally and the team at Patchwork Indy, Rokhsar has always been the architect of her own story. Now settled in the U.S., she is prioritizing her education and career with aspirations to support other families like hers—those pursuing their hopes and dreams in America.
Rokhsar aspires to become an elected official to advocate for the hopes of all newcomers.
“I want to help others. No matter where they’re from, what language they speak, or what religion they follow. That’s my dream. To be someone who helps people,” she shared.
Rokhsar’s journey is a powerful testament to the leadership and impact women bring to our communities when they have the safety and stability to thrive.
Betsy Sole, Welcomer
As a dedicated local volunteer and Heart of a Welcomer honoree, Betsy has seen firsthand how personal connections can bridge cultural gaps. She views women as “primary culture carriers” and understands the vital role they play in a family's emotional health.
“The more I learn about the trauma of leaving one’s home and family, the more I empathize with the unique pain and loss women refugees experience,” Betsy shared. “When the familiar support system is gone, personal identity and purpose are threatened. Welcoming women can help build the relationships that define those things. Even when language is a barrier, activities such as having coffee or tea, doing a craft, and cooking together can be vehicles for building a system of support.”
Betsy knows that welcoming communities need women in leadership who understand how to connect with other local leaders, which she describes as the key to "opening doors of opportunity for women refugees."
Awaz Jabari, Economic Empowerment Program Manager at Refugee Women’s Network
The Refugee Women’s Network empowers women to overcome barriers, helping them achieve self-sufficiency for a future where their potential can be realized. As the Economic Empowerment Program Manager, Awaz ensures that these women have the resources they need to transition from surviving to thriving.
“We are deeply committed to empowering women by helping them build on their existing strengths and talents,” Awaz shared. From career readiness workshops to leadership empowerment and social adjustment, the network takes the abilities that women already possess and transforms them into skills they can use to build a future.
She emphasized that leadership is fostered by creating the right foundations for success: “By providing access to education, career training, and professional networks, we help women unlock their potential and pursue fulfilling careers in various fields.”
The stories of these women remind us that welcoming is more than a gesture—it’s a legacy of support shaped by women every day. From national strategy to community organizing to the simple act of sharing a cup of tea, these women show us that when we choose proximity and understanding, our communities flourish. This Women’s History Month, we honor the immigrant women who have made the journey to the U.S. and those who have opened their doors to meet them.
