"ALMOST KILLED BY THE TALIBAN."

My Memoir

"PAIN TO POWER: MY JOURNEY FROM AFGHANISTAN TO AMERICA IN PURSUIT OF FREEDOM."

BY:

MASUDA RAHMATI

Carmel~by~the~sea is the California version of the Hamptons, a luxury resort community where the only serious crime is not picking up after your dog. I was pursuing my version of the American dream, selling real estate in this playground for the rich. I had just started to prepare for another typical open house one Saturday afternoon, when I looked up and stared into the face of a nightmare I thought I had left behind years ago in my native Afghanistan.

Tuti Gala - San Jose 2024

Power Women Gala 2024

February 2005

August 2024

September 2024

Masuda Rahmati was born in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 10, 1969. She escaped Afghanistan with her family in 1980 due to the Russian Invasion. Her father decided to take his family out of the war-torn Country for a better life and freedom. They drove to Islamabad, Pakistan with a smuggler and lived there for two years and then immigrated to America in 1982.

Her life in America was very different from Afghanistan. She had to learn the language, culture, and adapt to a very different life. After studying very hard, she became a leader and straight-A student within the first year at her junior high school and taught Algebra in her spare time.

In 1995, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Psychology from The University of Santa Cruz, California. In the last 20 years, she has been a businesswoman and investor in residential and commercial real estate.

She has been recognized by the United States Congress for her courageous efforts on influencing women about self-love, positive self-image, self-respect, self-independence, power, self-confidence, discipline, education, compassion, mental and emotional wisdom using her own life story.

In 2005, She was the first Delegate from Afghanistan to compete at the prestigious and International Mrs. World Beauty Pageant in Mumbai, India. The purpose of her participation was to be the voice and advocate for the Oppressed Afghan women and young girls in her beloved Motherland, Afghanistan. The beauty of a woman resides in her Sacred self. When we honor and fall in love with our souls, we become more beautiful as we age. Every woman and young girl must have the right to the basic Human Rights.

A letter from Congressman Sam Farr

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REVIEW OF BOOK FROM SAM FARR, RETIRED U.S. CONGRESSIONAL REPRERSENTATIVE

I love your story. It is a Cinderella story with so many ways to describe what you have been through and accomplished.

Our lives are affected by our culture, which in turn, affects politics, which in turn makes the laws we live by.

Masuda Rahmati’s story dramatically portrays the contrasts of cultural values and the politics they create. She started with no hope, low self-esteem, and a strong bias against women to become a Beauty.

Queen, mother, and a community leader. She has a message for everyone, from young children to parents and grandparents: “Never give up hope.” She shows us, despite all obstacles, how to pursue your dreams, even if those dreams may threaten your life. A must read for every family.

Retired U.S. Congressman,

-Sam Farr-

My Humanitarian Missions

Change Makers of The World

Survivor Of A Bomb Attack by the Taliban

There are great people with kind hearts in the world, whose goal is to help others grow and prosper! Masuda Rahmati, one of the most proud and hardworking women of the country, has started her financial cooperation with the SGA Gymnastics Association! The purpose of this partnership is to support the members of the SGA Gymnastics Association

And the elite and hardworking gymnasts of this association, which is always looking for honor, will be done! Members of the Gymnastics Association

SGA and the founder of this association, Mr. Salman Soltani, considers this great action of Mrs. Rahmati as a positive step towards the growth and prosperity of more gymnasts and members of the association and thanks dear Mrs. Rahmati! Professor Rehmatullah Soltani, coach of the Gymnastics Association

SGA also appreciated Mrs. Rahmati and said that this kind of cooperation had not been done with this association before and we are proud to have Mrs. Rahmati by our side and we will do our best to raise a healthy and heroic generation in We will make society!

I don't remember exactly, but I wasn't young when suddenly a magical, unconscious song caressed my ears, and every day that passed, I got closer and closer to this song. It had gained value, I was singing along, and this song was none other than Ahmed Zahir, the great and unique artist of my country. With the encouragement of my friends, I realized that I could hum his songs little by little. Gradually, the encouragement of my friends increased so much that I had to sing and that too. Only the songs of the artist that I fell in love with, my singing got the attention of viewers and listeners through the virtual world... until the fans of my singing grew more and more. I remember one night I received a request through Facebook. I did it, she sent me a message... Hello, Atiq, I am one of the great fans of Ahmad Zahir, you play his songs very well, I like your singing too, we can be good friends... I wrote to her that I had a sister name Masuda who unfortunately is not in this world, you are my sister... From here, the relationship between me and her started so strong that you would think that we have both achieved what we never dreamed of. She became my sister and I was her brother... At that time, many years passed, she was always with me and in every situation, like my real sister, and she did not hesitate to arrest and cooperate with me, and finally she became the sugar of my bitter days, and that divine miracle was none other than Masuda jan Rahmati, my dear. God's gift for me, I love you very much, brother AA

“Masuda Rahmati’s memoir is a gripping journey from the vibrant days of Kabul to the challenges of a new life in America. Her story of fleeing the Soviet invasion, adapting to a new world, and standing up on the global stage is both touching and powerful. As an important supporter of Change Makers of the World, Masuda has played a significant role in advocating for Afghan girls and their education. This book isn’t just a personal tale; it’s a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the struggles and triumphs of a woman who has fought tirelessly for justice and change.” — Jawid Amani, Founder of Change Makers of the World

I met Masuda Rahmati through Facebook, she messaged me and was eager to talk, I liked her sweet and motivating words, we met for the first time through Zoom. She was so happy and motivated that I thought I was talking to someone my own age. I always speak seriously, but I don't know why I used to smile when I was talking with Masuda, because her efforts to make others happy were effective. She always calls me sister, she has motivated me when I had mental problems and has been by my side from a distance and supported me like a close friend. From her activities and writings, I fully understood that she is a talented and hard-working woman, she is a supporter of Afghan women and always tries to be the voice of their suffering women. She told me about his life story, how many hardships and problems she went through, and now I am very happy that her efforts have paid off and she is writing her book. I am very excited to read the book of a hard-working and successful character as soon as possible.

Fatima Amiri
Survivor Of A Bomb Attack by the Taliban,
in Kabul, Afghanistan
September 22, 2024

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