Nurturing Your Creativity: Take Flight with Passion Projects
Empowering Women Through Passion and Action: The Story of LadyEquity
In a world where marginalized women in impoverished parts of the globe face challenges like female genital mutilation (FGM), one young student is making a difference. Jannatul Olima '24, a student at Bronx Science, has created a passion project in the form of a nonprofit organization called LadyEquity.
LadyEquity, a beacon of hope for many, was born out of Olima's desire to help women who require support. The name 'HeadStart Hijobi' represents propelling oneself into something and promoting hijabi representation simultaneously. HeadStart Hijobi allows others who are interested in furthering the mission to participate, with each person's role catering to their passions and interests.
Olima's journey with LadyEquity began by doing independent research on FGM and publishing it on her personal blog. Since then, LadyEquity has organized book drives to send books to Bangladesh and bake sales to donate funds to medical centers such as Montefiore. The nonprofit has also aimed to direct the spotlight towards hijabi excellence in various fields of work.
Passion projects, such as LadyEquity, are self-directed, authentic endeavors driven by individual interests that foster skill development, identity exploration, and creativity. They typically exist outside formal work or school commitments and vary widely in form depending on one’s passions and goals.
These projects reflect genuine interests or emerging identities, making them unique to the individual. Participants grow practical and creative skills, such as storytelling, research, design, leadership, or critical thinking. Projects can span arts, entrepreneurship, social causes, writing, or technical creation — there is no set format.
Usually pursued independently outside school or work, passion projects emphasize initiative and commitment. Engagement in creative projects promotes mental health, expression, motivation, and social connection. Many projects develop over time, showing dedication and often allowing for leadership roles that signal responsibility and maturity.
Israth Tayiba '26 is a member of the marketing and networking team at HeadStart Hijobi, a nonprofit organization created by the author and a friend. The author believes that passion projects contribute to personal growth and provide tools to better understand oneself.
Passion projects can cater to different aspects of an individual's identity and can be combined to create something new. Jannatul Olima aims to amplify the voices of the silenced and serve her community, which is one of her greatest passions. Through LadyEquity, she is making a significant impact, not only on the lives of the women she is helping but also on her own personal growth and understanding of her identity.
In sum, passion projects serve as personalized vehicles for creative expression and personal development, combining meaningful interests with active skill-building and often contributing positively to one’s community or broader causes. They allow individuals to explore identity and cultivate talents through diverse, flexible activities rooted in authentic motivation.
Photography and video features of LadyEquity's activities showcase the organization's impact on women's lives, highlighting their personal growth and the progress being made towards eradicating practices like female genital mutilation. Education-and-self-development sessions, such as workshops and seminars, are part of the nonprofit's mission, providing members with opportunities for skill development and identity exploration related to lifestyle and personal growth. The spotlight on hijabi excellence in various fields, as well as the overall success of LadyEquity, is a testament to the power of passion projects in empowering individuals and opening doors for future possibilities.
