In a heart-warming presentation last week, Rotarian Shim Abbasi addressed the club on the importance of embracing diversity and the warmth she found in the embrace this club gave her.
Born, raised, and educated in Pakistan, she moved to England when she married her physician husband, Dr. Raheel Khalid. They lived in London for 6 years before moving to upstate New York. Then Benefis recruited her husband to work as a hospitalist in Great Falls, Montana.
“I’ve always lived in big cities,” Shim exclaimed. “When I googled Montana … well, it was a big shock to me. Then I googled the Muslim population in Montana – an even bigger shock.”
When her husband flew to Great Falls to interview, a sudden blizzard forced the plane to land in Billings. Bad luck. Transportation from Billings to Great Falls? Worse luck. Dr. Khalid had to rent a car and drive. Yet misfortune can be fortune in disguise. “He always says that drive was what made him choose Montana for our new home. It was so beautiful.”
We had the same bad luck/good luck experience during Shim’s presentation. When poor connectivity made her powerpoint unusable, she just turned to us and spoke from the heart. “Diversity,” she explained, “is accepting that people are different and unique. For a person like me, coming here, being asked to be part of your group, being accepted … it warms my heart. I hope to write a book about it.”
Embracing diversity goes beyond mere inclusion, Shim continued. “You not only included me, but you listen to me and adapt your customs to my needs. You actually chose me to be on your board of directors. You showed you have faith in me and I am happy to accept that responsibility."
It is true that our club could be more diverse. Shim agreed when one member suggested we should focus more on recruiting Montana’s indigenous peoples as members. She also suggested that providing access for a diverse membership may mean changing meetings times and making adjustments in our dues schedule. But, she emphasized, we should also feel good about the character of the club. People of all different ages are able to find meaning and connection through service above self. Our president calls to check on new members, to see how they’re doing. We choose women as leaders. “At our last board meeting," Shim recalled, "six of the directors were women and two were in charge. You are so good at welcoming change and accepting it."
Shim concluded with this observation: “I lived in London for 6 years and I didn’t know my next door neighbors. You have far fewer Muslims in Great Falls, but you are so accepting of them. I am so happy to be part of your club.”
Wow. You honor us, Shim. In every way.
