June 1, 2016

Carmen M. Chavez, Esq., Executive Director, Casa Cornelia Law Center 

Casa Cornelia Law Center is a ministry of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

Dilkhwaz Ahmed was a women’s rights activist in Iraq when she began fearing for her life and sought asylum in the United States. Dilkhwaz became a client of Sr. Ann Durst at Casa Cornelia Law Center (CCLC) several years ago, and together they successfully won her asylum case. Now she is the proud Founder and Executive Director of License to Freedom, a non-profit that provides counseling to victims of domestic violence, trafficking, and sexual assault in the refugee community of San Diego and beyond.

Dilkhwaz returned to Iraq just last month to provide assistance and work with Yazidi women who have been victimized by ISIS. She is an exemplary woman, and the staff and volunteers of CCLC are proud to know her.

On Saturday, April 16, Sr. Ann Durst was honored with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps Madonna Della Strada Award. Dilkhwaz spoke at that event about the incredible impact that Sr. Ann and CCLC have made on her life and the lives of so many others who have survived human rights violations. Dilkhwaz is a true embodiment of “paying it forward,” as she is now assisting so many other women in the San Diego community as well as in Iraq.

We are grateful for the incredible support of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in helping us to further this humanitarian mission, and Dilkhwaz exemplifies each and every woman whom CCLC has assisted. Thank you for helping us to create such a positive ripple effect in the lives of women who have escaped violence and seek hope.