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Mariam Issa
Ms. Mariam Issa, a
Houstonian for more than two decades, hailed from Pakistan by way
of Dubai. Ms. Issa, from a privileged background, emulated
generosity and kindness of the heart from her parents. By giving
of herself, she is making a difference in this world, both while
in her native land, and in this adopted country she now calls
home.
Her philanthropic
work began quietly and long ago while she was in Pakistan. She
learned Braille in order to tutor two blind boys who eventually
earned master degrees in English. While contributing to the
business community as a business owner in Houston (Texas), she
returned to her first passion as a community volunteer and
advocate. Her primary interest is to promote harmony among people
of all backgrounds. She founded the Pakistani-American Volunteers
Association (PAVA) not only to promote the rich culture and
heritage of Pakistan but also provide assistance to those in
need. PAVA has participated in projects with the March of Dimes,
Rehab Mission to feed the homeless, Houston International
Festival, the Asian Arts Festival and assisted in the settlement
of Bosnian families. Ms Issa is currently assisting the
Afghanistan refuge families in their settlement in Houston.
Ms. Issa served as
the president of the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Association
and is president elect of the South Pacific Chamber of Commerce.
She has been on numerous non-profit boards, working tirelessly
and selflessly for causes she believes in. Numerous organizations
in this international city have benefited from her association.
And she was saluted by Channel 11 two years ago for her
outstanding contribution in community service. The whole month of
May 2002, Channel 39 saluted her as one of the “Unsung Heroes.”
Ms. Issa currently
serves on the Board of Directors at Asian/Pacific American
Heritage Association, the Asia Society, South Asian Chamber of
Commerce, the Mayoral Advisory Board for International Affairs
and Development-Asia and Asian American Voters Coalition. She
also served on the boards of Express Theatre, the Blaffer Gallery
at the University of Houston, Asian American Coalition, Pakistani
Association of Greater Houston, Ancestral Films Festival and Asia
World Expo. She was also a member of committees and advisory
councils for UNICEF, HISD, Asian American Studies Program at the
University of Houston, and Census 2000.
Her humanitarian
efforts also help bridge understanding between the U.S. and
Pakistan. She worked with House of Charity to bring a team of
health professionals who traveled to Pakistan to help burn
victims there as well as trained the doctors so they can help
themselves. When the September 11th tragedy occurred,
Ms. Issa with the help of her board members raised $40,000 from
the Pakistani community to give to the Red Cross in its relief
efforts. She was recently awarded the Paul Harris Award by the
Rotary Club for her hand-pump project. Due to her leadership, and
with the assistance of Rotary Club International, 69 hand-pumps
were delivered to 2 provinces in Pakistan that had no drinking
water and have had drought for 4 years. In September, 2002 she
received an award from the City of Houston for her continued
service to the Pakistani community. She has successfully raised
$43,000. for this documentary movie “Muhammad His life and Times”
It will be aired on December 18, 2002 on all PBS TV Stations all
over America.
She was born in
Bombay, India and after the partition in 1947 all the Muslims
migrated to Pakistan. She is a Pakistani and her father was one
of the pioneers of Pakistan. He was an industrialist and had a
textile mill in Karachi. Before coming to the United States she lived
for ten years in Dubai and her husband was the first person to
put up two mills in the whole of the Gulf: Steel Corporation of
Dubai and Gulf Neon Signs. Ms Issa is married and has two grown
children. She is very actively involved in local and state
politics.
Contact address: 18 C East Shady
Lane, Houston, Texas 77063.
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