11 Facts About Safiya Wazir

Safiya Wazir is an Afghan-American community activist and politician.

Safiya Wazir served as a Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Safiya Wazir is from the Hazara ethnic group Her family left Afghanistan during her childhood, and spent ten years in Uzbekistan before immigrating to Concord, New Hampshire.

Safiya Wazir knew little English upon her arrival and studied the dictionary to learn the language.

Safiya Wazir's family was unable to communicate in English shortly after their arrival but received assistance from a Lutheran organization and often ate only rice.

Safiya Wazir was forced to restart her secondary school education and thus graduated from high school at age 20.

Safiya Wazir enrolled in the New Hampshire Technical Institute, where she took night classes so she could support her family.

Safiya Wazir graduated from the community college with a degree in business.

Safiya Wazir began working within the Heights community of Concord, becoming a director of its Community Action Program and a vice-chairwoman of its Head Start Policy Council.

In February 2018, Safiya Wazir's friend suggested that she run for office, although Safiya Wazir refused the request until her partner and parents agreed to support her children.

Shortly thereafter, Safiya Wazir became the first refugee to be elected to New Hampshire's state house.