We were lucky to catch up with Delveen Tahir recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Delveen, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Ms. Tahir is one of ten children born to Ahmad Tahir and Amina Muhammed in Zaxo, Kurdistan, Northern Iraq. Ms. Tahir early life was marked by trauma and hardship. In 1991, her family had to flee to the mountains of Kurdistan to escape the regime of Saddam Hussein, losing two of my brothers in the process. One was miscarried after Ms. Tahir’s mother fell on rocks, and the other, Tahir (brother), died of starvation in the mountains. Ms. Tahir’s family escaped with nothing but the clothes on our backs.

In 1996, Ms. Tahir’s family and she arrived in the United States as Kurdish refugees. Life was challenging, but we seized every opportunity given to us. Ms. Tahir owes her current position to her exceptional parents, who dedicated their lives to ensuring their children had a safe and comfortable future while helping others in need. Ms. Tahir’s siblings and her have inherited their strength and a deep sense of obligation to assist others and treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Ms. Tahir is a survivor living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Her family, including her father and uncles, endured torture, and some were tragically murdered by Saddam Hussein’s regime due to her father’s assistance to the U.S. Army in the 1990s. In 1996, they fled Iraq, leaving behind their home, family, and friends. Their journey led them from Iraq to Turkey, Guam, Kansas City, and finally to San Diego, where they now call home.

Growing up in the States, Ms. Tahir faced bullying and struggled with her PTSD. Despite the challenges she faced, she turned her adversities into opportunities, pursuing her education to assist people with disabilities.

Ms. Tahir earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Technology from San Diego State University. She also obtained her Health and Wellness Coaching certification from Georgetown University Institute for Transformational Leadership.

Currently, Ms. Tahir serves as an Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist, Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Manager, and Health and Wellness Coach in the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity with the Department of the Navy. With over eight years of experience in the mental health field, she believes that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. She is a firm believer that individuals can improve themselves and sometimes require extra support to truly thrive, fostering personal growth because everyone deserves the opportunity to flourish.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Growing up as a Kurdish refugee in the United States, Ms. Tahir faced significant cultural shock and bullying. In her early years in school, she was often singled out and bullied for her cultural background and the challenges her family faced as refugees. Despite the adversity, she refused to let these experiences define her. Instead, she embraced her unique heritage and used it as a source of strength.

One particularly challenging incident was during a school project where students were asked to share their family histories. When Ms. Tahir shared her family’s journey as Kurdish refugees fleeing from the regime of Saddam Hussein, she faced mockery and disbelief from her classmates. Instead of being deterred, she took it upon herself to educate her peers about her culture and the struggles her family endured.

As a young girl growing up in Kurdistan, Iraq, Ms. Tahir’s life was uprooted by the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. Her family, targeted due to her father’s assistance to the U.S Army in the 1990s, faced unimaginable hardships. During this harrowing journey, Ms. Tahir experienced firsthand the devastating impact of war conflict.

Today, as a Disability Program Manager and Health and Wellness Coach with the Department of the Navy, Ms. Tahir uses her experiences to support others facing similar challenges. She believes in treating everyone with respect and dignity and is a true advocate for personal growth and development.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The transition was challenging; Ms. Tahir faced cultural shock and bullying in her new environment. She was mocked for her accent, her clothing, and her unfamiliarity with American customs. Despite the adversities she faced, Ms. Tahir was determined to persevere and build a better life for herself and her family.

The lesson Ms. Tahir had to unlearn was the belief that her worth was defined by the opinions of others. The backstory to this lesson was her experiences with war conflict, cultural shock, and bullying. Through her journey, Ms. Tahir learned the importance of resilience, self-worth, and never giving up, and she now helps others discover their strength and potential.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delveentahir?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delveentahir/

Image Credits
Frist Photo: Alan A Second Photo: Heleen Tahir Third Photo: Lee Ryan