2015 marked the second year for Cindi Shelby, owner of rmeyers, an upscale fashion boutique in Oklahoma City, to mentor a PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® student. Cindi is continuing the tradition of Oklahoma’s fashion icon, Ruth Meyers while introducing her own vibrant flair. Cindi worked for Ruth Meyers for over 21 years and together they introduced firsts to their community, such as Donna Karan. Cindi is a long-time supporter of the Oklahoma City Arts and many other vital nonprofit organizations.
In addition to mentoring, Cindi has provided beautiful fashions for the annual JEWEL Fashion Show fundraiser located in Oklahoma City during PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® mentorship experience week. Cindi is always happy to help and participate in IEEW programs no matter how busy be gets.
Homa Usmany meets Patricia Ward, founder of the Paula Loyd Foundation responsible for Homa’s law school scholarship (AT&T University, Las Colinas, TX, July 2015).
PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® graduate, Homa Usmany, is from Kandahar Province, one of the most conservative areas of Afghanistan. After graduating from the Taliban Nursing School (the only school available to girls in Kandahar), Homa then went on to obtain a variety of industry certifications and even won a scholarship to law school from the Paula Loyd Foundation. While studying, Homa started her own clothing company, specializing in uniforms. Colleagues steered Homa to the in-country PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program to learn how to boost sales.
A highly emotional connection that took place while Homa was hosted and mentored in Oklahoma City, OK, by Cindy Shelby. It was a busy week for Homa, Cindi, and Mike Shelby (Cindi’s husband). Not only was Homa learning the U.S. fashion industry, but she was tasked to help Cindi prepare for the fifth annual JEWEL Fashion Show.In the midst of all the fashion and retail training, special friends arrived from Atlanta, GA. Homa’s childhood friend, Khatera Tarzi, and her husband, Walli Tarzi, drove the entire way from Atlanta just to see Homa for the first time in seven years.
Homa Usmany with her childhood friend, Khatera Tarzi, from Kandahar Province, Afghanistan (Oklahoma City, OK, July 2015).
“It was so very moving to witness the reunion of these two smart, lovely young women who clearly have such a deep bond,” said Cindi Shelby. They had not seen each other in so long, nor do they know when they will see each other again.” Cindi believes that she will stay in touch with both Homa and Khatera for the rest of their lives, such was the connection they made during this short time of mentorship.
This was not the first time that Cindi Shelby has mentored a PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® student. Just the year before, in 2014, Cindi mentored Kevine Naturelle, a fashion designer from Kigali, Rwanda. Cindi confided that she almost dreaded having Homa at her home and shop as a mentee because there was no way that the mentor experience could be as special as her time with Kevine. And it was just as amazing! So now, “I have three young women, across the world, that are in my thoughts and prayers forever. I think that’s quite profound. PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® is so meaningful and it has touched me deeply.”
Sometime after the memorable events of July, Cindi and Mike Shelby received a beautiful floral arrangement at their home. It was an unexpected, gracious thank you from Homa’s friends in Atlanta, Khatera & Walli Tarzi. At the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, we have nine years of touching, inspiring stories of hope and peace. All are welcome to share in a few of these moments by eMentoring, mentoring and volunteering. For more information, go to www.ieew.org.
Homa Usmany, Cindi Shelby & Khatera Tarzi at the JEWEL Fashion Show (Oklahoma City, OK, July 14, 2015).
