Assembly Resolution No. 155

BY: M. of A. Cook

HONORING Hafza Girdap upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition at the Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards Gala on
March 9, 2025

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals whose leadership, dedication, and service have
transformed communities and improved lives; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Hafza Girdap upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards Gala, to
be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in celebration of Women's History
Month under the theme "Women of Destiny"; and

WHEREAS, Hafza Girdap serves as the Executive Director and
spokesperson for Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST), and is a founding
member of the Set The Free platform; she is dedicated to addressing
women's rights violations, particularly in Turkey; and

WHEREAS, Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Women's and Gender Studies
at Stony Brook University, Hafza Girdap is actively engaged in
delivering lectures as part of her academic pursuits with a background
holding a B.A. and M.A. in English Language and Literature, her research
focuses on human rights and the status of women in Muslim contexts; and

WHEREAS, Hafza Girdap's primary interest lies in exploring the
integration and adaptation experiences of Muslim immigrant women while
redefining their cultural identities; she aims to analyze the lives of
Muslim women, studying the challenges they encounter within their
cultures before, during, and after conflicts; her doctoral research
concentrates on the self-identification and gendered racialization
experiences of immigrant women from Turkey in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Beyond her academic pursuits, Hafza Girdap contributes as a
nonresident research associate to the European Center for Populism
Studies' (ECPS) gender program; and

WHEREAS, In her research endeavors, Hafza Girdap actively
incorporates the voices of female survivors of conflict; she examines
the coping mechanisms employed by these women to navigate various
challenges, including social discrimination, oppression, and violations
of basic rights, across different contexts such as their home countries,
refugee camps, and new settlements; and

WHEREAS, Residing in the United States since July 2016 due to
political persecution in her native Turkey, Hafza Girdap has expanded
her research interests and actively participates in women's rights
movements; over the past three years, she has organized and spoken at
UNGA and UN CSW panels, focusing on women's issues and experiences; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, she mentors youth, encouraging their
involvement as researchers and speakers in these events; and

WHEREAS, Embracing the personal motto "Let Dreams Lead You," Hafza
Girdap runs online global book clubs on Instagram; through live
interviews, she addresses topics related to women and youth empowerment;
and

WHEREAS, Hafza Girdap, along with her husband and two daughters,
currently resides on Long Island, New York; and

WHEREAS, Hafza Girdap exemplifies the spirit of leadership,
resilience, and service, using her expertise to uplift communities,
advocate for the underserved, and inspire the next generation of
healthcare professionals; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Hafza Girdap upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards Gala,
commending her for her unparalleled contributions to healthcare,
leadership, and community service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Hafza Girdap.