Sonita Alizadeh ’23, Bard College alumna and human rights activist.
Sonita Alizadeh ’23, Bard College alumna and human rights activist, has released a memoir chronicling how she avoided child marriage twice, escaped Afghanistan to pursue her dreams, and evolved into a woman who is changing the world. Born under Taliban rule, Alizadeh faced the threat of child marriage at the ages of 10 and 16, before finding her voice through music. She has since performed on global stages and collaborated with artists and organisations that share her mission, and has addressed world leaders and worked with NGOs such as the UN, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International to push for change. In
Sonita: My Fight Against Tyranny and My Escape to Freedom, she shares incredible highlights of her life, like winning the songwriting contest that gave her the opportunity of a lifetime, as well as harrowing chapters, like when the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, and how some of her family escaped while others were left behind.
Post Date: 07-15-2025
