We Remember: Serena Shim Sacrificed her Life to Tell their Stories

I tease Millennials because of their collective angst about anything that appears to be uncomfortable – constructive criticism, awards where only the top talent is honored and jobs that require daily routine and painful monotony. My generation simply responds to our kids – “Do something else!” – met with an excuse and a shrug. Today’s young people lack the personal commitment to humanity that some of us witnessed so many years ago. We know Malala. Her bravery is shared through her words and her deeds. She tells us of the great struggle women endure because they of their gender. Listening to serena shimher, it would be impossible to commit to any kind of work in the Middle East, but Serena Shim did.

Her name is whispered in circles by influential men and women wondering how a bright, brilliant young woman could be gone. Born on October 10, 1985, she grew up in Detroit, Michigan. It is most likely where she learned to appreciate the hardworking struggle that so many were part of during that time. Her mother is American, her father Lebanese, she embraced his culture and after graduating she took a job with Press TV in an area of the world that no one is keen to cover. But there are so many children and families still struggling. Like women before her, she carved her own way, knowing the pitfalls, but never dreaming that she would end her days near the Turkey-Syrian border when a cement mix collided with her automobile head on.

Days earlier, the Turkish Intelligence service accused her of spying after she told the story of ISIS militants traveling with NGO convoys.  A few day before her death, she made the following statement:


Serena’s mother and sister continue to ask for information on Serena. Please share this story and keep her family in your hearts and prayers.

 

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