A story worth repeating. . .

Most Pluma clients know her as Samantha. Her official name is Ibtisam Nisan. She was born in Iraq forty years ago. At the age of nine, along with her mother and four siblings, they escaped from Iraq and the warfare of Saddam Hussein.
Along with hundreds of others, Samantha’s family walked for several days until they reached Turkey. While the people walked, many carrying their children and whatever belongings they could hold, American planes dropped food and water to keep them alive. She remembers little about this walk, except they were frightened, cold, wet from rain and they were exhausted and their mother kept them moving forward.

In Turkey, they became refugees living in tents for the next four years until the United Nations led by the United States and its coalitions placed them in safe countries. During their time living in tents, there was no education for the children, minimal medical provision and limited food supplies.  She remembers her mother cooking on a twelve-inch, close to the ground small stove fueled by a propane tank. 

Eventually Samantha’s family was sent to Canada. Their neighbors from Iraq had immigrated to the United States. Eventually, Samantha and one of the neighbor’s sons, Mike (Shleimun), reconnected and married and she moved to Phoenix where they live and have two very handsome sons, ages twelve and eight.

As a hairstylist and assistant at Pluma for almost 4 years, Samantha is noticeably talented with hair, scheduling, managing inventory and caring for her own clients. All of this she accomplishes thoughtfully and efficiently and with a great sense of humor. She is a treasure to all of us. 

Recently I asked Samantha what she values most in her life. Without much hesitation she answered; Family, Freedom and Education.
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Although her parents and siblings still live in Canada, they are closely connected. Her husband’s extensive family live close to them in Phoenix and they are a close-knit family as well, sharing their daily lives, Christian faith and moral standards. Of course, family matters to her.

As far as freedom, she explained that in Iraq women had no rights. They could not drive or work. If they did, they were branded as bad women. “Here in this country women are equal to men in independence and you can speak your mind and you can practice the religion you choose. These freedoms most of us in this country take for granted.” Of course, freedom matters to her.

As for education; when you meet Samantha, she appears shy and quiet, but after spending time with her, you know she is intelligent, well informed, observant and educated. Samantha appreciates the opportunities we have in this country for education. Her sons are thriving in school and she and her husband make sure of it.  The opportunity of equal education for both men and women matter greatly to her.
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Samantha is a woman of her word; she places her family first along with her faith in God. She does not take for granted the freedoms she has come to expect and appreciate living in this country. She will always remember the support from America that kept them alive during their escape from Iraq and the four years living in tents. And she will continue to make sure she and her husband provide the best education they can for their children.

Samantha’s faith, dependability, organizational skills and seventh-sense of managing our schedule has kept our doors open through the past two very challenging years. I am indebted to her showing up every day….no matter what! 

With love,
Hilda