Everything Under The Sun: First Women's Crisis Center In The Middle East

Advocacy training session by WCCI in Bahrain.

Although one might not know it from viewing a photo of her, Mary-Justine Todd has been working in the field of women's rights and women's health for more than ten years. In 2013, she took that background, plus her education, and founded WOMEN'S CRISIS CARE INTERNATIONAL (WCCI). Based in the US, this organization provides the first and only domestic and sexual violence crisis intervention program in the Middle East. Through collaboration with the AMERICAN MISSION HOSPITAL in Manama, Bahrain, the organization can provide the physical care needed, as well.

Besides providing treatment for those most affected, WCCI also provides professional training and community education. Their staff have been able to consult with local hospitals and medical centers to provide the caring treatment that the women need. Ms. Todd explains that "helping women to recover from domestic or sexual violence, one by one, assists in promoting overall health and happiness around the world....Just as many women throughout the Arab world are veiled, so too is violence against women."

For Ramadan this year, WCCI held "Rama'dame: Women in STEM" honoring Muslim women who are making contributions in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Dr. Sameena Shah, Director of Research at Thomson Reuters in NYC. She specializes in computer engineering and scientific research.

Dr. Shah was educated in India, where she was born and raised, completing her Ph.D at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. Her thesis proved to be award-winning, as she won awards from both Google and Microsoft. Currently at Thomson Reuters, she is on a research review panel for several major journals, has published a paper on stock prediction, and holds one patent in her name.

Another honoree is Dr. Rafia Ghubash, President of the Arab Network for Women in Science and Technology. She earned her bachelor's degree at Cairo University and her Ph.D. at the University of London. She continues to practice psychiatry and was previously Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at United Arab Emirates University. Another accomplishment was opening Bait al Banat, the first museum in the UAE dedicated to the accomplishments of local women.

Today's honoree is Mishaal Al-Shemimry, president and CEO of Mishaal Aerospace in Miami. Florida, founded by her in 2010. The company makes launch vehicles and develops rockets for space applications.

A way of getting the word out about their services.

From Saudi Arabia, this young woman earned her bachelor's and master's degree from Florida Institute of Technology. Her current expertise is in the areas of aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, vehicle design, predictive simulation and analysis, and rocket stage-separation analysis.