Her Story
About Farida
My career in journalism spans more than 35 years, all of which I built in my country, Bangladesh, before coming to the USA one year ago. I made history as the first female President and first female General Secretary of the National Press Club in Bangladesh, an organization founded in 1954 with 1,500 members. Before me, no woman had ever held these positions in the Press Club, which is widely regarded as the premier hub for journalists and media professionals in Bangladesh, fostering press freedom, professional development, and community engagement. It is the second home for journalists and is better for networking and social interaction among media professionals. I also served as a parliament member of my country. In my work, I have always focused on women and children, their rights and their needs, working specially on women empowerment because in my country, females are back, behind, so we were working for the female. I believe journalism is a very exciting profession and a notable profession where journalists can work for all sorts of people, people needs, people environment - everything journalists can do for the people. Now in the USA, I am thinking to start something new, whether it be a newspaper, writing, or anything in that field. I currently work with the Queens Public Library in New York and continue to work with non-profit organizations because I always prefer to work for people.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Farida
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to self-confidence, determination, courage, and boldness. I believe that if you are determined and have courage and boldness, every woman can achieve her goals and overcome everything. It's very important to have self-confidence and determination - if you determine what you want, you can achieve your goal. I also think it's very important to want to do good things for others and give something to society. These values have been central to my journey in journalism and leadership.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I always tell the young people, go forward. Keep you confident. You determine what you want - you would determine, and then you can achieve your goal. Determination is very important, and self-confidence. Determination and self-confidence are very important to anything you can achieve. I also want young women to know that journalism is a very exciting profession, and for women, it's very challenging. But you have to take the challenge. I think anybody who takes challenge with self-confidence, and if they are determined with courage and boldness, every woman can achieve her goals and overcome everything.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think journalism is a very exciting profession, but for women, it's very challenging. The challenge exists everywhere, but you have to take the challenge. I believe that anybody who takes challenge with their self-confidence can overcome everything. If she is determined with courage and boldness, every woman can achieve her goals and overcome any challenge. I wanted to be a journalist from a very early age because it's a very exciting profession, and I did my education in mass communication and journalism to pursue this path. The key is having the determination, courage, and boldness to face the challenges.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think in my personal life, self-confidence is very important. And if you want to do good things for others, it is very important. If you want to give anything for society, it's very important. I always prefer to work for people, and I believe that wanting to contribute to society and help others is a core value that drives my work. Throughout my career, I have focused on working for women and children, their rights and their needs, because I believe in women empowerment and helping those who are behind or disadvantaged in society.
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