Dalia Mohammad is a vibrant 26-year-old Kurdish woman who works as a community health worker with License to Freedom, a non-profit organization located in El Cajón, CA which caters to and seeks to empower refugee and immigrant survivors of domestic and relationship abuse. In this oral history interview, Dalia recounts her upbringing as a Kurdish refugee in America, expands on what “community” means to her, and imagines an ideal future for society. Throughout the interview, Dalia speaks passionately and enthusiastically about her work as a community health worker with License to Freedom, drawing inspiration from role models in her life and meaningful interactions with the individuals and communities with whom she works. When discussing the ways in which she collaborates with clients and connects with her community, Dalia also emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself in order to support others, drawing from personal experiences of persevering through life challenges as she continues to counsel and support clients through educational programs and services. Finally, touching upon the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has affected her personal and professional life, Dalia describes License to Freedom’s role in keeping the community safe and life post-COVID.
On May 27, 2021, this oral history interview was facilitated and transcribed through the Zoom platform in accordance with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. The interview was conducted virtually by third-year UCSD undergrad Isabel Nguyen (she/her/hers), who is in pursuit of a B.S. degree in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health and the completion of double minors in Health Care – Social Issues and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Studies.
