Ten
Years After 9/11/01, a Positive Smith Legacy
This year, near the eve
of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks on the United States, two sisters from Afghanistan
began their studies at Smith and Mount Holyoke colleges as
part of the legacy of a man who died that day in 2001.
 Asma
Amin, 21, her sister, Salma, 19, and their six siblings were
able to come to the U.S. from Farah Province, Afghanistan,
with the support of the Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation,
named for a passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 175,
the second plane to crash into the World Trade Center towers
in New York City.
“I can’t wait for classes tomorrow,” said Asma Amin ’15, who registered for four
courses at Smith this semester. “I’ve already talked to some of my professors.”
Goodrich’s parents, Donald and Sally, established the foundation in honor of
their son, to work with private and public secondary schools and colleges and
identify educational opportunities for student exchanges.
Amin lived with the
Goodrichs for several months when she first arrived in the
country two years ago. Her older brother, Mati, a student
at Williams College, was the first to be supported by the
foundation. Gradually, all of the Amin children and their
mother joined the two here. The children’s father, Roohul
Amin, is a governor in Afghanistan and remained there for
his work.
“We are joined by many who believe we can take affirmative steps to fashion a
safer, more equitable world,” note the Goodrichs on the foundation's Web site.
In addition to supporting students such as the Amins, the foundation has built
two schools and a water reservoir in Afghanistan.
“Peter’s parents formed the belief that educating young Afghan children is paramount
to eradicating root causes of violence and terrorism,” they wrote.
“I want to be a leader and help my country and my people,” said Asma. |
