Hamna Zafar, a Pakistani-American woman joined the US Air Force to pursue her dreams and avoid an arranged marriage with her cousin.
At just 19 years old, Zafar made a life-changing decision, challenging family traditions and cultural norms. Despite knowing that opposing her parents’ wishes would lead to alienation from her family, Zafar remained resolute in her pursuit of independence and personal fulfillment.
During a family trip to Pakistan in 2019, Zafar discovered that her relatives had more in mind than just a reunion—they intended to arrange her engagement to her cousin. This revelation shook her, as she faced the prospect of being bound to a man she neither knew nor chose.
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Caught between honoring her parents’ traditions and following her own aspirations, Zafar refused to sacrifice her autonomy. Instead, she devised a courageous plan, seeking asylum and finding refuge with a college friend’s family, where she completed her associate’s degree.
Under the care of a woman named Claudia Barrera, Zafar not only found shelter but also the support needed to pursue her education. Grateful for Barrera’s guidance, Zafar now affectionately refers to her as ‘mother.’
In 2022, Zafar took another bold step by enlisting in the US Air Force, serving as a security defender. Sharing her journey, the 23-year-old reflected, “I always thought about my parents and family, but the night I left home, I only thought about myself.”
Expressing her disappointment, Zafar shared, “I hoped my family would break free from stereotypical thinking, but being forced into a marriage against my will was a harsh reality.” Media reports reveal that after her family rejected her decision, Zafar had no choice but to start anew and forge her own path.
