Mariya’s Story
Originally from Afghanistan, Mariya’s family fled the country during the Soviet invasion, embarking on a heroic journey that took them through Iran and India before seeking asylum in Canada. In 2013, she relocated to the United States. She is a daughter of displacement. An Afghan woman. A refugee. A reclaimed woman. Born of a land where the light of women is systematically dimmed, she carries more than her story—She carries her families’ resilience, her community’s hope, and a sacred responsibility etched into her soul.
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“ Guard your story with all vigilance. Yet, offer it as a gift.”
Advocate
For over a decade, I have been fiercely championing youth and women’s empowerment and shining a light on the global displacement crisis, and the complex human stories behind them.
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My Mission
For the past decade, as an activist and nonprofit leader, I’ve devoted my life to shining a light on urgent human rights issues—especially the global displacement crisis, the fight for religious freedom, and the intersection between sports and social change. My mission is to bridge a disconnect—between global crises and mainstream consciousness and engagement. I want to explore our world’s most critical issues from a place that is unfiltered, unafraid, and yes—even playful.
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“ I believe that unleashing your human potential isn’t just a dream – it’s a divine right for all ”
The short film Long Road to Freedom by Mariya Goodbrake—winner of the 2020 Empower Women Media and Religious Freedom & Business Foundation competition—captures her family’s journey from war-torn Afghanistan to Canada and how it shaped her passion for refugee advocacy.
