Epigraph:

And when thy Lord brings forth from Adam’s children — out of their loins — their offspring and makes them witnesses against their own selves by asking them: ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They say, ‘Yea, we do bear witness.’ This He does lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘We were surely unaware of this.’ (Al Quran 7:173)

Source: Mrs. Tahmina Rehman, Buffalo, NY

The Speakers

Shanaz Tejani-Butt, Ph.D.

Shanaz Tejani-Butt, Ph.D., is Dean of Research and Graduate Education at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.  Her research is directed towards understanding the effects of stress on psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and drug addiction and alcohol abuse. With over 150 publications and presentations, she travels widely to present her work at scientific conferences and invited seminars.

Shanaz is actively involved in humanitarian service and community outreach, and is a strong advocate for the rights of women and children.

As founding director of Feed the Hungry in America, Humanity First-USA, she has established a chain of food pantries serving the hungry around the country.  As president of the Women Science Association,  she is working to build mentorship programs for Muslim women entering  into various disciplines of Science.

As President of the Women’s Auxiliary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (2000-2010), she served the needs of ~ 6000 Muslim women and children in 68 chapters nationwide.  Shanaz  is Chair of the Khadijah Scholarship for women interested in gaining employable skills.  Shanaz assisted in launching the Bike-a-Thon in Erie County, NY, an annual event gaining support  against domestic violence.  Shanaz serves on the Board of several non-profit organizations such as Pathways PA, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and Humanity First, USA.

Sr. Beth Brosmer, OSF

Since January 2010, Sr. Beth Brosmer, OSF, has served as the executive director of Heart, Love and Soul Pantry & Dining Room in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Sister’s nearly four years of work at Heart, Love and Soul is a continuation of the devout servant-leadership roles that have marked her 50 years as a Sister of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity.

Before coming to Heart, Love and Soul, Sister served as director of development for the Sisters of St. Francis of Stella Niagara, NY.  In this role, she also served as chairperson of the Centennial Committee for Stella Niagara where she was responsible for overseeing a number of successful events during the year-long celebration.

Sister Beth began her service in the field of education as a demonstration teacher in the city of Buffalo. Sister taught first grade at St. Ann School in Buffalo, NY, and Kindergarten at Pope John XXIII School in Columbus OH in the early 1970s. Sister’s career moved her into roles of administration when she became the principal at Pope John XXIII in 1975.

Sister left the field of education when she was appointed secretary to the province in 1980; a role she held until 1985. Sister became the director of mission and sponsorship (1985-92) and director of mission & volunteers (1992-97) at St. Ann’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. Sister Beth returned to Western New York when she was appointed director of development for the Sisters of St. Francis at Stella Niagara.

Sister Beth earned a B.S. degree from Rosary Hill College (now Daemen College) in Buffalo, NY, and an M.S. degree from State University College at Buffalo. She earned her permanent teaching certificate form the State University of New York at Buffalo.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Sister Beth became a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity in 1964.

Attia Nasar

Attia Nasar is a Public Affairs Officer in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. She is responsible for supporting U.S. foreign policy objectives with public diplomacy products and services, including online and in-person interactive engagement with international publics in South and Central Asia. She provides consultative services, strategic guidance and hands-on assistance to staff working on programs and projects at U.S. Missions overseas. Nasar graduated from the Public Diplomacy program at Syracuse University where she received a M.S. in Public Relations and a M.A. in International Relations. She is a 2008 graduate of Utica College in NY, where she earned her B.S. in Public Relations and Journalism Studies.

In her free time, Attia volunteers with Girls on the Run, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and behaviors in young girls.  She is also an avid runner. You can follow her on twitter: @attianasar.

Hope Hoetzer-Cook
• 1970, SUNY Buffalo, BA in English Literature. Magna Cum Laude.
• 1970-74, SUNY Buffalo, Graduate Studies in English Literature and Biblical Studies. (A.B.D.)
• 1986-1998, Political Consultant and Campaign Manager. Responsible for management, literature design, speech writing, articles and releases, TV and radio ad scripting and directing, arranging direct mail, volunteer training, petitioning, petition review and challenge. With my husband, performed polling operations.
• 2007-present. Board Member, Lexington Cooperative. Board Secretary.
• 2011-present. Board Member, Buffalo ReUse.
• 2013. At-Large Member, Erie County Democratic Committee. Also served under Chairmen Crangle and Sorrentino.
• 1977-Present. Erie County Democratic Committee member.
• NYS Division for Human Rights State Advisory Board. (Commissioner H. Carl McCall)
• NYS Division For Youth State Advisory Board. (Commissioner Frank Hall)

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