Arturo Gomez Molina
Chapman University students, faculty members and esteemed guests filled the Musco Center for the Arts on Monday night for a special evening with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Chapman University Presidential Fellow Nadia Murad, moderated by Wilkinson College Dean Jennifer Keene.
Murad was selected as an inauguration speaker because her story and advocacy work demonstrate the power of interdisciplinarity – one of the underlying themes of the inauguration.
Murad is a survivor of the attempt by the Islamic State (ISIS) to eradicate the Yazidi people of Iraq. Since her escape, she has dedicated her life to sharing her story and advocating forsurvivors of sexual violence in conflict.
In her book, “The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity and My Fight Against the Islamic State,” Murad recounts her abduction, the horrors she endured, her eventual escape, and her ongoing mission to seek justice for the Yazidi community and end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
During their conversation, Keene asked Murad what inspired her to write a book and tell her story.
“I believe in the documentation when these kinds of crimes are committed,” Murad said.
She explained that truth-telling must be done responsibly, noting her experiences helped shape The Murad Code, a set of global guidelines developed to ensure survivors of sexual violence are interviewed with dignity, respect, and informed consent.
Murad emphasized the importance of balancing advocacy with self-care. She said that while her mission is driven by a deep sense of responsibility, she recognizes the need to protect her own well-being.
“In order for me to carry this message and do the work, I can’t relive that part of my story over and over,” Murad said. “I am a wife, a sister, a human being, and every day I want to move forward and away from that.”
Murad and Keene discussed the moment she learned that she had won the Nobel Peace Prize, and how that recognition helped advance her mission.
“Winning that prize was not my priority,” Murad said. “Earning the recognition was important, though, because I am young, so that helped carry the power of my work and message.”
Murad shared that she is using some of the prize money from the award to build a hospital in her hometown of Sinjar, Iraq, for survivors of sexual violence. The project is part of Murad’s nonprofit, Nadia’s Initiative, which works to rebuild communities in crisis, advocates for survivors of sexual violence, and works for a world free from genocide.
Murad also shared that she is currently working with the Iraqi government to build Sinjar’s first university, which will focus on teaching its students, and the region, sustainable agricultural practices to help rejuvenate their homeland.
Murad concluded the evening by congratulating President Matt Parlow on his newly appointed role as Chapman’s 14th President, saying that she knows he will “lead the school with great heart.”
Murad concluded the event by gifting attendees a copy of her book, “The Last Girl,” and took time to sign copies and speak with guests.
The evening celebrated the strength of the human spirit and the impact compassion and perseverance can have in transforming lives and communities.
This conversation with Nadia Murad was one of many feature inauguration events that offer the Chapman community opportunities to celebrate together and learn more about the exciting future for Chapman University. For a full list of events, please visit the inauguration website.
