Live A Life That Doesn't Force You To Choose.
You're not meant to fit in, and that's the beauty of it!
Today’s workplace is not rightly designed for unique women like you.
It’s completely blind towards women who want to have a successful career and:
✅- Live by personal values that their family and community taught them.
✅- Have a loving family and spend as much time as is needed with them.
✅- Be respected and not pointed out with the finger, just for being who they are!
How many times have you experienced this, just for being who you are?
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Are you sure you can keep up with the pace? This is a very competitive field!
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Aren't Muslim women supposed to stay at home and take care of the family?
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Are you even allowed to speak to men at work, according to your religion?
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I'm surprised you can even work at all with that headscarf on. Doesn't it get in the way?
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Sorry, we didn’t think you were even interested in leadership position.
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You just got this job because of diversity quotas, not because you're actually qualified.
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You are so career driven. Aren't Muslim women usually submissive and family-oriented?
Talking about negative experiences is not easy.
Society tries to make us believe that the isolation
we experience is only in our heads and discrimination
is our problem.
As I committed to consistently wearing my hijab, I went through many obstacles. But when I was shown the door and told to leave my dream of becoming a surgeon– thatwas when Allah instilled a sense of a higher purpose in me.
“You’ve got Black, woman, and Muslim going against you. And now you’re pregnant? What were you thinking?”
That was said to me by a “mentor” when I announced my pregnancy
in my first year of surgical training.
I knew navigating through surgery would be challenging. I just didn’t know that my different
identities were being used against me as if there was a limit to how different I could be.
Salam sister, my name is Dr. Qaali Hussein,
I’ve always dreamt of becoming a surgeon, even as a little girl growing up in Somalia. But it was in high school, when I chose to wear the hijab, that I was told that my dream was impossible.
If I wanted to practice my faith by wearing the hijab and fulfill my personal goal of having a family, being a surgeon was out of the question - no matter how much I excelled academically.
And when I proved myself academically by becoming a surgeon, my pregnancy automatically disqualified me in the eyes of many. I was told, in an ice-cold manner, that I wasn't committed enough to surgery because I “chose motherhood.”
I burnt myself playing by society’s rules, by continuously trying to fit in and make compromises. I went above and beyond at work only to get more criticized. I also tried to fulfill my widely and motherly duties at home despite my exhausting work schedule.
Today, I’m a full-time, double-board certified trauma surgeon, wife, and mom of six. I am also the founder of Defiance Academy, where I teach women to advance in their careers without compromising their values. Without the mistakes and suffering that I had to go through.
Learn how to own your voice, trust yourself and take up space to confidently advance in your career.
Without Experiencing Retaliation and Without Involving HR
YES ! I’M READY TO TAKE UP SPACETaking UP Space – The Fundamental Course to Claim it All with Confidence
Integrate your personal and professional identities. Live a life that doesn't force you to choose.
1️⃣ Don’t miss a single prayer while you’re at work.
2️⃣ Walk confidently into a business meeting proudly wearing your favorite attire, hijab and all.
3️⃣ Engage in difficult conversations confidently with a firm and fair voice to eliminate prejudices and discrimination in your workplace.
4️⃣ Enjoy your family life with your supportive village and let go of the “mom-guilt” that comes from pursuing your career goals.
5️⃣ Be a role model for young girls with your traditional values and successful career.
6️⃣ Become part of a community where you are supported and your values are celebrated.
You're not a piece of a puzzle that needs to fit in.
It's time to stop forcing it.
The world tells you to give up your values, part of yourself, to make your career work. But even if you get to the top that way, it wouldn't be worth it – and you know it.
The discomfort you're feeling isn't because something's wrong with you, but because you're trying to squeeze your big dreams into a box that's too small.
You've got big plans for your career, and you also want a beautiful life with your family that is grounded in your traditional values.
It's like trying to squeeze an elephant into a suitcase - too large for the small box
Claim your presence – Take up as much space as you need.
It requires bravery to embrace your true self without pretending to be someone you’re not. And succeeding in your career based on merit alone is impossible when stereotypes get in the way.
It becomes even more challenging when you’re navigating your career engaged in activities that do not align with your values, and embodying a persona that does not reflect your true self.
While this is common in many workplace cultures, it doesn’t have to be your reality.
I’ve put together all the knowledge and strategy you need to implement to claim your presence.
This is for you IF…
✅ You’re tired of experiencing prejudice just for being who you truly are. You have a burning desire to reconcile your faith, family and professional success
✅ You’re deeply rooted in your religious beliefs and family values. You believe these principles can, and should, exist in harmony with your career aspirations.
✅ You want your career to be determined by your abilities and hard work, not influenced by any biases.
✅ You’re not afraid to stand out, to look and act differently from your peers. You're aware that not everyone will understand your journey.
✅ You’re flexible, adaptable, and resilient enough to navigate these obstacles while remaining determined in your commitments and values.
This is NOT for you IF…
❌ You're okay with being judged unfairly for being your authentic self and don't feel the need to stand up or speak out against discrimination.
❌ You're fine with your career being influenced by factors beyond your abilities and hard work, and you're not willing to defend your professional identity.
❌ You're afraid of being different, of standing out among your peers. If the idea of being misunderstood or not fitting in scares you, and you’re not willing to learn to overcome that fear, then this path may not be for you.
❌ You're not ready to face the obstacles that could come your way, and lack the courage to embrace your uniqueness and carve out your own path.
❌ You don't possess the flexibility, adaptability, or resilience needed to overcome challenges while staying true to your commitments and values.
❌ You’re not deeply rooted in your religious beliefs and family values and prioritize your career over your principles.
Introducing…
Taking UP Space
The Fundamental Course to Claim it All with Confidence
Live a life that doesn't force you to choose.
Lifetime access to 5 modules:
The exact steps to strategically maneuver through obstacles and achieve your career and life goals
PART 2: TAKING UP SPACE WORKBOOK
Get exclusive access to the hands- on experiential personal development workbook.
No more wandering aimlessly through your career. Get strategic about your career and life goals and make a plan !
PART 3: COACHING WITH DR. HUSSEIN
Get access to quarterly group career coaching sessions with Dr. Hussein and learn strategies to maneuver through the system and advance in your career
PART 3: THE COMMUNITY
Gain access to a Facebook group for students to connect and learn alongside peers and receive answers to your most pressing questions from Dr. Qaali Hussein and the Defiance Academy team."
Here's what you'll learn:
Module - One
Mindset Shift - Discover how powerful your thinking can be!
Get Ready to take control of your life and career.
Learn about the powerful role your mindset plays and discover how to transform setbacks into opportunities for growth.
☑- Identifying the reality of rampant discrimination and violation of civil rights in higher education and the workplace
☑- Introducing the Defiant Career Strategy
☑- Viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow
☑- Recognizing the importance of discipline and healthy habits in achieving success
Module - Two
Deepen Your Roots - The heart of what makes you unique.
We'll use the strengths that spring from your roots as a driving force towards your goals. You'll discover how to intertwine them seamlessly into your daily life.
☑- Solidifying who you are and what core values keep you grounded
☑- Creating a powerful vision for your future
Module - Three
The New Unspoken Rules – learn the unwritten rules to succeed.
Confront any discrimination you might face by voicing your thoughts, even when things get tough. Effectively negotiate, make meaningful connection, and handle tricky office politics.
☑- Discovering the hidden curriculum and how it's holding you back
☑- Learning about the Myth of Meritocracy and how to strategize around it
☑- Defining the New Unspoken Rules to being Defiant in Your Career
Module - Four
The Defiant Path to Success – Create your Optimal Success Plan.
Every step of the way to break free and define success on your own terms. Create your own action plan for success avoiding the hidden traps and unnecessary risks.
☑- Introducing the Defiant Path to Success
☑- Learning to acknowledge current reality
☑- Setting Your Destination - Beginning with the end in mind
☑- Planning your Defiant Path to Success
☑- Resident Physician
Module - Five
Filtering The Feedback – ally yourself with all types of critiques.
Learn to create a personal filter for feedback, separating valuable insight from
the irrelevant or harmful. Leverage all types of feedback to your advantage.
☑- Learn the types of feedback that hinder career advancement
☑- Learn the importance of managing expectations in dealing with feedback
☑- Introduce the Defiant AF2 Strategy for using negative feedback to your advantage
☑- Demonstrate the importance of being proactive about feedback
The Bonuses
Bonus - #1
Taking UP Space Workbook
☑- Hands-on experiential learning
☑- Discover your core values and plan your ambitious goals through Journaling
☑- Have resources at your fingertips and directly engage with course content
Bonus - #2
QUARTERLY CAREER COACHING WITH DR. HUSSEIN
Let's be real. Almost all personal development courses teach abstract ideas in achieving success without real- life examples of challenging systems that exclude people.
They certainly don't provide the tools to overcome these obstacles. In this course, you have access to quarterly group career coaching sessions with :Dr..Hussein-who will answer your questions and coach you based on her lived experiences of challenging these systems to change.
Bonus - #3
Community
When you sign up for Taking UP Space, you'll access to the private Facebook group to network with other students, get support, and have your questions answered by Dr. Hussein and the Defiance Academy team.
How many times have You suffered discrimination and exclusion?
- Prejudiced views and stereotypes about Muslim women coming from colleagues and supervisors, impacting how they perceive your capabilities and contributions.
- Being left out of important projects worth a promotion due to biases and stereotypes about your commitment to work.
- Discrimination for wearing a hijab or other modest attire, especially in workplaces with strict and specific dress codes.
- Difficulty managing prayer times in a busy work schedule. Especially when there’s no dedicated space to pray and colleagues do not respect it.
- Feeling uncomfortable and excluded in social and networking events that don't align with your values, such as happy hours or parties involving alcohol.
You Are Not Alone….
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48% of Muslim women say they have experienced at least one incident of discrimination in the past 12 months.
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60% of Muslim women who wear the hijab reported at least one or more incidents of discrimination compared to 29% of women who do not wear the hijab.
The more you stand by your values the more challenges and resistance you’re going to encounter. Standing alone with no support may weaken our faith and determination.
See What Others Have Said About Their Experience:
As life evolves, new opportunities and challenges reshape our path and professional journey.
I'm excited to offer you exclusive access to our quarterly group career coaching sessions as a Bonus!
- Guidance and mentorship in navigating these complex life decisions and transitions
- Dynamic teaching to stay resilient and adaptable amidst change.
- Answer your questions and coach you based on my lived experiences!
Can't wait to embark on this transformative path with you!
Ready to Take UP Space without Compromise?
"This course is worth every penny and the time spent going through it.
It helped me learn how to prioritize and manage my time. It has taught me to never compromise my values and to strive for NOT just having a seat at the table but to being a leader and leaving a legacy for future generation."
"The course taught me how to deal with difficult people in difficult situation.
I feel like this is really well-worth it. I am currently using some advice that she has given into the class into the swing of things with studying."
"I wish everybody including myself had heard this information 20 years ago.
I learnt, being a woman that has both professional and has a personal goals, how to navigate both of those worlds. I am very glad to see there is a lot of young people who are consuming Dr. Qaali's teachings."
Sister, now is your time.
Picture a life where you're happy at home, successful at work, and strong in your faith. These blessings can be yours, without giving up anything. Don't let anyone tell you can't have it all.
Achieving career success while abandoning your values will lead to an emptiness that success cannot fill.
If you sacrifice your career dreams, you will forever be haunted by the question of what might have been.
It's time to take action!
Craft your life in such a way that each piece – your faith, family, and career – interlocks perfectly, creating a complete and beautiful picture. You're not just doing this for yourself but for young girls that will look up to you. Yes, it will be challenging, but for every challenge there is a strong value that needs to be defended!
Are you ready to Take UP Space, break the stereotypes and live by your values
YES ! I’M READY TO TAKE UP SPACE
