Photo courtesy of Nadia’s Initiative.

This edition of From Our Eyes features Sam Thompson (‘25 Peace and Justice Studies). Thompson currently has an internship with Nobel Laureate and Presidential Fellow in Peace & Justice Studies Nadia Murad and has been offered a position with her following graduation. Murad will be speaking at Chapman on Tuesday, February 25 at 4 p.m. in an event titled, “Towards Justice: Reparations for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence,” hosted by the Department of Peace and Justice Studies and Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. 

In a Peace Studies class during my sophomore year, I was assigned The Last Girl by Nadia Murad. At the time, I was unaware of the 2014 Yazidi Genocide and disconnected from the harsh realities of conflict-related sexual violence. Murad’s story- one of immense pain, escape, and resilience- hit me like a gut punch and stayed with me long after I finished reading. Hers was a deeply personal account of genocide, not only confronting the horrors of the past but also focusing on rebuilding both her life and community.

(left to right): Sam Thompson (‘25 Peace and Justice Studies) with Nadia Murad.

When I learned that she was coming to campus in 2024 as a Peace and Justice Fellow with Chapman, I was ecstatic to meet the person behind the story. The woman I met, however, was even more multifaceted, nuanced, and real than I had imagined. She spoke with unshakable confidence and strength, yet told her story with such care and intention. While she communicated the injustices the Yazidis continue to face powerfully and called on the international community to do more, she also shared her passions- her love for fashion and makeup. Meeting someone who embodied both deep humility and profound impact, who carried both immense pain and boundless hope, fundamentally shifted my understanding of peace and the world around me. Her influence called me to do more in my own community.

What struck me most was her unwavering dedication to her work and people—it emanated from her every word and action. I had the privilege of attending more intimate lunch and dinner events with her, where she was asked how she continues her advocacy and rebuilding efforts despite the hardship of reliving her trauma. To Murad, the answer was obvious: if she didn’t do this work, it wouldn’t get done. But to us Chapman students, her response reverberated through the room. It was in these conversations that I first learned about Nadia’s Initiative (NI), her organization dedicated to community-driven, survivor-centric projects rebuilding Sinjar, Iraq- the site of the 2014 genocide and her home.

This past summer, I was offered an internship at NI, working on digital communications. After three years of studying peacebuilding, international advocacy, and community-led initiatives for post-conflict reconstruction, I was honored with the opportunity to experience this work hands-on. The more I learned about NI- its values, impact, and approach- the more I realized that this was the kind of work I hoped to see more of in the world. I have been included in a vibrant community of change-makers and I feel privileged to learn from them. The voices of individuals in the community inform the projects developed, ensuring that personal needs are met with validation and thoughtfully implemented solutions. Being tasked to tell the stories of individuals benefiting from NI’s projects- whether through new hospitals, sports complexes, or literacy courses- has been a gift, and only deepened my commitment to survivors of atrocity.

As I approach graduation and the uncertainties of post-grad life I am immensely honored to have this story of learning and inspiration through Chapman’s connection with Nadia Murad. From the beginning of my time at Chapman, Murad’s story informed my values and passions—driving my commitment to supporting survivors and communities striving for peace in the wake of atrocity. Meeting her changed my understanding of people, proving that people can be so many different things at once, courageous and kind, unwavering and intentional, immensely strong and still beautifully soft. Learning about her Initiative clarified the work I want to dedicate my life to, and NI’s survivor- and community-centered approach will guide my decisions moving forward. To have had the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, to NI’s mission and to amplify the voices of Yazidis rebuilding their lives has redefined how I see myself; someone who, now, has made an impact. As I move into this next chapter of my life, I carry deep gratitude for the role Nadia Murad and her work has played in shaping the person I am today.

If I were to advise any current or future Chapman students, I would say: engage with the people and opportunities Chapman provides—you won’t know their impact on you or the world until you go out and try.

Lear more about the event on February 25, 2025.