The governor’s office appointed the first Muslim woman to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission for Women last month.
After being appointed on Oct. 18, Salima Suswell said she realized immediately that she was the first Muslim out of about 30 members over the commission’s two-year existence.
“I’m grateful. I feel like it’s a great time to have a Muslim woman, particularly an African-American Muslim woman, in a leadership role that affects change for women and girls in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Suswell, the CEO of Evolve Solutions.
“I think that through my role with the [commission], people will take notice — ‘Wow, here it is a young African-American woman who is Muslim, who wears a hijab, that is getting things done.’ Because of that, I find myself sort of pushing myself to do more. I feel like it’s a responsibility for myself to be present, to be at the table when decisions are being made that affect my community,” she added.
Even as a minority, however, Suswell says her service will not be devoted solely to people who look like her, but will be oriented toward women in general but with a specific interest.
“Muslims are women and girls. We have the same needs as all women and girls, so definitely I maintain a certain perspective based upon the unique needs of the Muslim community. However, I’m here at service to the commonwealth for all women and girls,” she said.
“I have an interest in serving the African-American girls and young women and girls that are a product of DHS [Department of Human Services]. Based upon my research, a lot of the women in prisons — they have come through the foster care system. It’s a lot of things that have happened to girls that came through the foster care system and I want to pay special attention to that group. I want to identify the issues and also develop solutions.”
The commission meets quarterly and, according to its statement of purpose, is “responsible for advising the governor on policies and legislation that impact women; supporting economic and civic opportunities for women; encouraging mentoring programs for girls and young women; identifying programs and opportunities for the benefit and advancement of women; and serving as a resource center for Pennsylvania women.”
Prior to her appointment, Suswell consulted with the governor’s office on Muslim affairs and was an adviser to the planning team for the Eid-al-Adha dinner at the governor’s mansion for the past two years.
“Part of our mission is to represent the diverse needs and interests of women all across the commonwealth,” said Megan Healey, executive director of the commission. “As a Muslim woman with strong ties in her community, Salima will bring a welcome perspective that will further serve Pennsylvania’s women and girls.”
Throughout her career, Suswell has advocated for the Muslim community on a grass-roots level and in political circles.
She, along with other Muslim leaders and elected officials, organized an effort that resulted in Mayor Jim Kenney and the School District of Philadelphia recognizing the Eid holy days on the public school calendar, closing schools for all staff and students, and City Council adopting a 2016 resolution to recognize the holy days as official holidays.
Suswell also serves as an executive committee member for the Council of American Islamic Relations-PA, which advocates against discrimination and hate toward Muslims. In 2016, she served as the Democratic National Convention’s chair of the Muslim-American Host Committee, coordinating events for Muslims from across the country.
“If I were to describe Salima with one word, it would be balance — the balance of being a mother, being a Muslim, being a wife, being a professional, being a leader — and making it look easy. I’m impressed with that ability to juggle priorities and still get stuff done,” said City Councilman Curtis Jones.
Jones worked with Suswell on the Eid holiday resolution, and she works as a consultant for his office on special projects and Muslim community affairs.
“She deals with a bunch of males, which ain’t easy, strong-willed alpha males, and she will diplomatically navigate all of us to keep us focused,” Jones said. “That is not easy, to keep our eyes on the prize.”
Suswell’s work for the Commission for Women is volunteer. She does not think of herself as a pioneer, but is considering and preparing for the next mission.
“I’m still young and I’ve done a lot in my years but I have so much more I am planning to do,” she said. “I am excited about what I am going to do.”