Sheena interviews Gadeer Ayesh, a trailblazing Neurosurgery Physician Assistant, first-generation Arab-American Muslim, and advocate for inclusivity. Gadeer's journey from a small-town school to Marquette University defied expectations, driven by her parents' immigrant experience and a determination to excel.
The passing of her grandfather due to limited healthcare access fueled her commitment to make a difference. Despite skepticism, she emerged as a beacon of representation for her culture and religion. Gadeer's involvement in a mural project at Marquette celebrating women of color showcases her advocacy for inclusivity.
She draws strength from her support system, considering her family and community as her true heroes. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, authenticity, and a vision for an inclusive world!
Episode Highlights:
06:22 - It's really not fair that you have to represent an entire people but it is. A lot of people, especially like being at Marquette, they never encountered a Muslim before. They've never seen, they don't know what a hijab is. They don't know where Palestine is. And so just kind of being that spokesperson and embodying that in everything that I say and do, and all of my decisions. It catapults me into where I want to be and how I want to present myself.
12:43 - Each of my sisters is my therapist in a different way. I'm always able to be vulnerable with them. No judgments. Whether it's, I want to be a PA, but I don't know if I can get in, and them pushing me, striving me to be better.
18:22 - I struggled and it took a while to get to where I am today, but maybe the people after me, they don't have to go through that struggle. Maybe it'll be easier for them. The mentorship program, I would love to be a mentor.
Interview
What's the story you'd like to share with us today?
02:26 - I went to kind of a small town school, went to a private school where everyone's the same as me. They're all first generation Arab-American Muslims, so a little sheltered kind of growing up, and then I go to Marquette. Absolutely loved it. I met a lot of my super close friends there, but I learned who I was at Marquette, grew as a person, , and then became a PA, and here I am.
What set you on that path to becoming a PA?
04:50 - I learned early on that if I wanted to succeed, if I wanted to do what I wanted while looking the way I looked, it takes a little dedication, a little drive. It wasn't easy. There was a lot of pushback. There was a lot of people questioning, who I was and what I was doing there. Am I qualified? And so, that always pushed me.
What are some other ways that your identity has informed the choices that you've made in life?
05:57 - You look at me and you know exactly who I am potentially, and you've already formed judgments based on what I look like. So I am clearly Muslim. You see it by the hijab that I wear, and I embody kind of Islam in everything I do or say. And so, it's always on the forefront in terms of I'm representing myself, but I'm also representing my religion and my culture.
You've got a certain claim to fame. Which one of these are you?
07:05 - The one in the hijab. The one in the scarf.
How did you get to be a part of that and how did that make you feel?
07:13 - It's honestly the most surreal thing ever. I told you before my husband is my biggest kind of cheerleader and supporter and anybody he meets, "Did you know that my wife is on the wall? She's on the mural at Marquette. And it's like, "Oh, God, it's embarrassing."
You've referred to your husband several times....
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