More Testimonials
Harker School
“Atia Abawi was an exceptional and memorable speaker for our school community. Through her storytelling and wisdom, she helped students open their minds to new perspectives in a way that felt both personal and profound. One student shared during the closing open mic that Atia’s talk made her realize she had been using her Instagram account as an echo chamber. Hearing Atia’s message inspired her to seek out diverse viewpoints and think more critically about how to have difficult yet necessary conversations. She left the talk with a deeper commitment to empathy and global awareness—an impact that speaks to Atia’s ability to engage and inspire.
Atia met with me several times before her visit to the school because she wanted to tailor her message to who we are and what we needed. Her visit was not just a presentation but a meaningful conversation that left a lasting impression.
I wholeheartedly recommend Atia for any school looking to inspire and engage students in a powerful way.”
Patricia Lai Burrows | Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Harker School
Academy of the Sacred Heart
“Atia was amazing - beginning with our evening reception with donors and parent presentation, to spending the day with every division of the school. Her presentations were age appropriate to her audience, and her authentic and heartfelt delivery was felt by everyone who met her! She was such a pleasure to meet and work with!”
Jana Fogleman | DEI Coordinator |Academy of the Sacred Heart School
Greenwich Country Day School
"Atia was able to empower students to use their voices to become storytellers, not only of their own journey but also of those untold narratives that can shape our global perspective. This learning was extended in her classroom visits where Atia spoke vibrantly about the experiences of being a foreign correspondent and the empathy needed to understand the lives of others, especially those individuals who suffer from displacement from war."
Emmanuel Saldana | Associate Director of DE&I | Greenwich Country Day School
Castilleja School
“Atia Abawi reminded us about the dangers of prejudice—both abroad and closer to home and encouraged students to start conversations, join community action projects, and contact elected officials to advocate for issues they care about. I was moved by her words about the power of unity. “Quite often, during the worst of times, is when the best comes out in people. They might be strangers, but they become family.”
Head of School| Castilleja School
University School of Milwaukee
“Atia Abawi connects with all ages by generating dialogue and inspiring solutions through a globally informed and humanitarian perspective. She is a seamless builder of community.”
Laura Klein | Upper School Librarian | University School of Milwaukee
Dana Hall School
"Atia is a connector. Everything about the way she approaches her presentations is about connecting with the audience and people around her. Even when she is the center of attention, she is always more curious and inquisitive about others than about herself, making people feel special and important. Atia is masterful at inviting complex issues into the room while making learning accessible. Atia leaves people wanting more and appreciative to have learned from her. She is a bright light!"
Rachel Nagler | Director of Community, Equity and Inclusion | Dana Hall School
Metairie Park Country Day School
We were so fortunate to have Atia Abawi with us for the entire day so that she could speak to all of our K-12 students. One of her many gifts as a presenter is that she is able to speak to varying ages in such developmentally appropriate ways that they all walk away with a clear understanding of her powerful message. That is truly unique! She spoke to younger students about her biography on Sally Ride, and while they learned about Ride’s impact on science, students also received messages of how being open to those who are different from you can create avenues for unexpected gifts. Atia’s storytelling about Ride and Svetlana Savitskaya was just one example of this. Atia continued this message with middle and upper school students as she focused on the value and importance of learning the stories that belong to someone else. Our students were enriched by Atia’s own personal experiences that she shared with candor and a gentle spirit. She used this framework to talk about ways to empathize with others and understand our shared humanity across the globe. One of her many positive messages was that there is great strength in building connections with others and being empathetic, and she stressed that this does not mean everyone has to agree. These are just a few of the reasons that we were excited to host Atia Abawi on our campus once again. (Having been to our school twice now, Atia is, in fact, a bit of a rock star on our campus, and students were seeking her out to have further conversations.) She is an amazing role model, and we are all looking forward to the next time she visits!
Ninnette Varisco | Director of DEIB | Metairie Park Country Day School
