Mariam Darsot Women in Policy & Government Scholarship

Mariam lived an extraordinary life filled with laughter and love. She was the heart of her family and her community.

Daughter to Suleman Darsot and Amina Khanji, sister to Younus, wife to Shahid Ahmed, mother to Ayesha (Rizwan), Usman (Samra), Omair (Hira), and Aman, grandmother to Zia, Zaki, Yusha, and Reem, niece, aunt and cousin to many; Mariam’s love and devotion to her family and faith knew no bounds.

Mariam’s love also very generously extended to her community and especially to young aspiring women and women in need. Mariam was a fierce advocate for women’s empowerment and education.

Everyone who knew Mariam, knew her as someone who loved to share a laugh and lend a hand. The mention of a friend’s name, no matter how near or far, always brought a smile to her face, even at the end when words were hard to come by.

Mariam knew many homes during her life. After leaving her birthplace of Karachi, Pakistan in her twenties, she found homes in many unfamiliar places. No matter where her path took her, Mariam never hesitated to dive into the communities where she settled. She deeply cherished the relationships that blossomed at each stop, and left a trail of fond memories and goodwill at each turn.

Mariam along with her husband of 43 years, Shahid founded Nexus Pharmaceuticals in 2003 and for the next 20 years provided accessible and affordable medications to patients across the United States. The success of the company allowed Mariam to spend time with her four children as they built their family business together.

Mariam was a generous philanthropist. Her love of humanity allowed her to give generously to many non profit organizations and communities.

The Mariam Darsot Woman in Policy and Government Memorial Scholarship will honor her legacy and allow the next generation of women in leadership to flourish.  In partnership with the Islamic Scholarship Fund, the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) recognizes the pressing need we have in America to improve negative portrayals of Muslims in the news, increase the number of Muslim policymakers, and invest in the creation of positive and engaging stories about American Muslims. At MLFA we know that Law is born and impacted by social conditions but also is responsive and transformed through it. We look forward to developing the next generation of Policy and Government Advocates working to promote and protect national security, civil rights and equity for Muslims in America; challenge issues of economic and political inequality, religious, and racial injustice; and help empower Muslim communities nationwide.

Mariam Darsot was a force. We honor her by ensuring the light and fight she brought to this world will continue for generations to come, in her name.