Girl Unbound: The War to Be Her

Doors at 12:30pm

Movie starts at 1pm

Panel discussion with Maria Toorpakai and other empowered women following the screening.

Tickets

$15 general admission Ticket

$10 student Ticket

$25 Solidarity Ticket

A documentary film and panel discussion about women in sports, in life, and the freedom to be yourself.

Join the conversation with Maria Toorpakai, Hajar Abulfazl, and Meher Khan

Boys can.

Girls can’t.

Who sets the rules?

Who breaks out? 

A decade later.

What has changed?

Pakistan

Afghanistan

Canada

USA 

Born free? 

Can we ever live free? 

Sports

Women’s rights

Women's lives

Stopping the war against women. 

This event is a benefit for the Maria Toorpakai Foundation.

https://mariatoorpakai.org/

The Maria Toorpakai Foundation is dedicated to providing girls in Pakistan and beyond with access to sports, education, and leadership opportunities. Founded by world-renowned squash champion Maria Toorpakai.

Girl Unbound: The War to Be Her

In Waziristan, "one of the most dangerous places on earth", Maria Toorpakai defies the Taliban - disguising herself as a boy, so she can play sports freely. But when she becomes a rising star, her true identity is revealed, bringing constant death threats on her and her family. Undeterred, they continue to rebel for their freedom.

A Different Kind of Daughter: The Girl Who Hid from the Taliban in Plain Sight by Maria Toorpakai

This book will be for sale at the event and there will be a book signing.

Maria Toorpakai hails from Pakistan's violently oppressive northwest tribal region, where the idea of women playing sports is considered haram-un-Islamic--forbidden--and girls rarely leave their homes. But she did, passing as a boy in order to play the sports she loved, thus becoming a lightning rod of freedom in her country's fierce battle over women's rights.

"Maria Toorpakai is a true inspiration, a pioneer for millions of other women struggling to pave their own paths to autonomy, fulfillment, and genuine personhood." --Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and And the Mountains Echoed

A Different Kind of Daughter tells of Maria's harrowing journey to play the sport she knew was her destiny, first living as a boy and roaming the violent back alleys of the frontier city of Peshawar, rising to become the number one female squash player in Pakistan. For Maria, squash was more than liberation-it was salvation. But it was also a death sentence, thrusting her into the national spotlight and the crosshairs of the Taliban, who wanted Maria and her family dead. Maria knew her only chance of survival was to flee the country.

Enter Jonathon Power, the first North American to earn the title of top squash player in the world, and the only person to heed Maria's plea for help. Recognizing her determination and talent, Jonathon invited Maria to train and compete internationally in Canada. After years of living on the run from the Taliban, Maria packed up and left the only place she had ever known to move halfway across the globe and pursue her dream. Now Maria is well on the way to becoming a world champion as she continues to be a voice for oppressed women everywhere.

Other Panelists

Hajar Abulfazl

Hajar Abulfazl is a medical doctor from Afghanistan, a former captain of the Afghanistan national women's football team, and a former delegate to the United Nations Youth Assembly. Abulfazl was born in Kabul and took up football at the age of 12.[1] She joined the women's football team at her school.[2] She rose to become captain of the Afghanistan national women's team and played for it for nearly ten years, from May 2009 to January 2017. In July 2017, she was awarded the Courageous Use of Sport Award for individual bravery in the face of adversity.

[[https://www.instagram.com/hajar_abulfazl/

Meher Khan, moderator

Dr. Khan is a physician - entrepreneur. She is an allergist-immunologist with a master’s in health care innovation from the University of Pennsylvania. As the founder of LAAF, Inc. (Live Active and Agony Free), she hopes to improve lives with LAAF smart insoles and a smartphone app that monitors physical performance, shortens recovery, and prevents injuries. 

An advocate of women’s health and freedom of choice, she serves as Chair of The Maria Toorpakai Foundation, Inc. She has served on the boards of Rosemont College, College of William & Mary, American Muslim Society, and chaired the Women’s Empowerment Committee of the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America. 

An avid reader and hiker, Dr. Khan loves to explore nature and delve deep into innovative ideas. She is dedicated to helping community endeavors, fostering understanding in difficult times, and enriching the lives of others. 

10% off  Taqueria Cresta with your Fallser Club ticket!!

By Car or By Train

The East Falls Train Station is a short walk from the Fallser Club. Parking in East Falls is no problem! There is ample free on-street parking near the East Falls train station driveway at 3610 Midvale Ave and a paid municipal lot three blocks away at 4100 Ridge Ave.  Midvale Ave and Ridge Ave are both well-lit!