Sharmin was honored as one of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women at the 2010 Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Read about the other honorees here.
Name:
Sharmin Mollick
Age:
18
Year in school and school:
Freshman at Cornell University
Your email address:
Your “claim to fame” – aka why you were part of Glamour’s 20 Amazing Young Women!:
Being a female in Bangladesh, I rose against the male dominated society where I was hindered from getting an education to achieve my dream of becoming a genetic engineer. I even swept streets just to get an education. Other women can now follow my footsteps.
What are you doing to change the world?
Helping to bring together straight and LGBT people.
What was your inspiration for this?
LGBT students at my school were being bullied for their sexual orientation and for who they were. Once, I was told, “You are a girl, you have to do what I say. No more school for you.” I was not allowed to dream just because of my gender. I was not valued as a person. I can relate to how these people feel when society does not accept them as they are and thus, I have always wanted to help them walk as tall as any other person in society. After all, we are all human being.
What is a quotation or message that drives you?
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”~ Dr. Seuss
What has been your proudest accomplishment so far?
Being able to achieve an education, and fundraise more than enough money for hosting a LGBT prom.
At what one point did you really feel like you’d made an impact?
When I saw a young girl came to me and said, “My father wants me to marry and become a good wife like your uncles did. I want to study like you do. Thank you for giving me the courage to stand for what I want to do.”
What would you say was the “coolest” moment in your life thus far?
Getting into Cornell University.
What is a challenge you’ve faced while trying to achieve your goals?
Having people discouraging me and trying to convince me to give up on my dreams of becoming a genetic engineer because I am a “woman” made my journey feel lonely. Managing money in Bangladesh for continuing education on my own was the toughest job; sweeping streets early in the morning is no fun! After moving to the US in 9th grade, I had little knowledge of English. Learning the new language, taking care of my sick mother, doing household work, managing extracurricular activities outside of school became challenging. Biggest challenge was to continue studying biology against my mother’s will since she believed studying biology (where evolution is taught to students) is against Muslim beliefs.
If someone gave you a million dollars to benefit your cause (or your research, your company, etc.) what would you use it for?
I would help financially support LGBT proms around the globe and help women in poor nations financially to achieve an education. I will also help build schools and hospitals in CHT (Chittagong Hill tracks), where people are refused their human rights to a proper life due to their race: Chakma.
In 10 years I hope… I will either be a successful engineer or will be graduating from medical school. I hope I will have saved enough money to go back to my country and start a school to help all those women who want to study but are not given the financial support to do so.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?
If I weren’t studying in USA, I would probably still be in Bangladesh, doing odd jobs to raise money for school, fighting people for an education, trying to work to spread the word that studying biology is not wrong for a woman and that it does not corrupt one’s mind, or I would be working with women to fight for equal rights.
What 3 adjectives would people use to describe you?
shy, determined, kind
What is your biggest weakness?
Not enough English skills, stage-fright
Who is your hero and why?
Dr. Yunus because of his understanding of the poorest people. I know poor people who are grateful for his micro credit loaning idea.
Who is your biggest cheerleader, supporting you every step of the way?
My best friend, Anmoy Kiron Chakma
What do you like to do outside of your work?
Write poems, help raise money for developing nations, travel.
Which of this year’s Glamour WOTY award winners would you most like to meet and why?
Queen Rania of Jordan because she has done a lot to educate young women across the globe. Her help has helped women like me to achieve a basic education. It is very inspiring and I myself want to do that in the future.
What was your favorite part of Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
Being valued for who I am, and getting to see women who are changing the world.
What did you wear to Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
A black dress.
Who did you bring as your guest to Glamour’s WOTY Awards?
Younger brother
What is your favorite thing about Glamour magazine?
Health and Fitness section, and WOTY
What does “glamour” mean to you?
Beauty outside lies in the inside of you; the beauty in what a person does.
How does it feel to be honored as one of Glamour Magazine’s 20 young women who are already changing the world?
I was so happy I almost wept. It is very inspiring and encouraging.
What advice would you give to our college women readers?
Follow your dreams.