As a child I went to a bilingual school

I learned English and was exposed to ithe Western way of life

It seemed to me that women had more rights in the West

No hijab

Any occupation they wanted 

Self confidence 

Freedom to express themselves

I hoped one day I would live 

In a place like that

Today, in Montreal

I listen to the zoom sessions of my husband

A university professor at McGill 

And I hear women talking confidently 

Women standing up for the rights of minorities

Women chairing the meeting

I’m happy my dreams as a child have come true

July 19, 2026