Timothy Cho

She was sold seven times in just three months. Then, she stood before the United Nations, forced the world to listen, and became a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Nadia Murad’s story began in the small village of Kocho, Iraq, on August 3, 2014, a day that began with the sound of engines and ended in unimaginable loss and devastation. At just 21 years old, Nadia’s village was attacked by ISIS. Because she was Yazidi, a religious minority, she and her people were targeted and subjected to horrific violence. Many men and boys, including Nadia’s six brothers, were taken and killed. Her mother was murdered, and Nadia, along with other women, was taken into captivity. Nadia’s captivity was a constant nightmare. She was treated like property, sold and traded multiple times over the course of three months. Throughout this time, she endured countless forms of abuse. In November 2014, a chance opportunity presented itself. A door was left unlocked. Nadia escaped, and with the help of a local family, she made her way to safety outside ISIS-controlled areas. Eventually, she was granted asylum in Germany, but Nadia did not choose a quiet life of healing. Instead, she chose to speak out and raise awareness for the suffering of her people. In December 2015, Nadia stood before the UN Security Council, where she shared her story. Though young, she spoke with great courage, describing the horrors faced by Yazidi women and children, and calling on the world to act. Her testimony had a profound impact, and in 2016, the United Nations officially recognized the Yazidi genocide. Nadia didn’t stop there. In 2018, she founded Nadia’s Initiative, an organization focused on rebuilding her community and supporting survivors of violence. That same year, at the age of 25, Nadia became the first Iraqi woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Though celebrated worldwide, she remained focused on her true goal: the liberation of those still suffering. Today, Nadia continues to speak out, sharing her story to bring attention to the plight of the Yazidi people. She has transformed her painful past into a force for justice and healing. Nadia’s journey reminds us that while we cannot change our past, we can choose how we respond to it. By sharing her truth, she has shown that pain can be transformed into a powerful force for good. Nadia did not just survive—she triumphed. No matter the challenges we face, we can choose to move forward with strength and hope.