Zohra Atmar’s talk highlights her journey growing up in a strict household and finding freedom through education, while also reflecting on the pivotal role her mother played. She shares how her mother’s hard work, even in something as humble as running a hot dog stand, enabled Zohra to pursue her dreams and understand the power of retelling and valuing their shared story. Born in Afghanistan and raised outside of Washington D.C., Zohra Atmar is career United States Department of State Foreign Service Officer. She is currently serving as Chief of the Political- Economic Section at the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah. She previously served in Jordan, Trinidad & Tobago, and Zimbabwe, along with MENA-focused assignments at State Department headquarters. Prior to joining her diplomatic career, Zohra worked with the Department of Defense, and in Kabul, Afghanistan with a research NGO, as well as NATO’s ISAF Mission. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and speaks Dari, Pashto, Spanish, and (very basic) Arabic. She and her husband have three daughters and have lived in Jeddah since August 2023. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx