Power & Privilege Welcomes Keynote Speaker Fatimah Hossaini

Whitman College is proud to welcome artist and activist Fatimah Hossaini to campus on Wednesday, Feb. 19, to deliver the keynote address for the Power & Privilege Symposium. The annual three-day event (Feb. 18–20) centers conversations about structural inequality and social justice in our local communities and the wider world. 

Hossaini will deliver her address, “Beauty Amidst Conflict—Resilience, Resistance, and the Story of Women of Afghanistan Through Art,” on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center’s Young Ballroom.

An Inspiring Changemaker

Hossaini is an artist, photographer, curator, and advocate for women’s and refugee rights. She is the founder of the Mastoorat Organization—a Kabul-based nonprofit that aims to empower women through art and photography. Her work has taken her from advocating for women’s and refugee rights to exhibiting her art on international stages to speaking at global forums.

Born in Afghanistan and raised in Tehran, Hossaini’s passion for art and activism led her to explore themes of identity and femininity through her photography. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Photography at the University of Tehran after initially studying Industrial Engineering.

Hossaini’s work was recognized in 2020 with the Hypatia International Award, and she was named a rising talent and youth ambassador by the Women’s Forum in France in 2022.

Her artistic practice focuses on staged photography, where she uses vibrant colors and powerful storytelling to highlight the Afghan experience. Through her lens, she redefines narratives surrounding Afghan women, bringing their stories to global audiences.

Hossaini has exhibited her work worldwide, with solo shows in Europe and appearances at major art festivals in Asia and the U.S. Her photography and articles have been featured in renowned publications such as Time, The Guardian, Vogue and Arte.

Currently, she is a Fellow at The New School in New York and an Art Resident at The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts. She previously held a residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in France and taught at Kabul University.

Hossaini’s work is not just about photography—it is about redefining perspectives, challenging stereotypes, and using art as a tool for activism and change. 

Reclaiming Hope

Under the theme “Reclaiming Hope: Resilience and Resistance in Action,” this year’s Power & Privilege Symposium will offer a unique opportunity to engage with powerful ideas about art, activism and resilience. 

Hossaini’s keynote address on Wednesday will be followed by a day of student-led sessions on Thursday, during which classes will be canceled to encourage campuswide participation.

Other featured guests include equity facilitator, actress and comedian Kausar Mohammed and educator and author Dr. Terrell Strayhorn. 

Explore the full Power & Privilege Symposium schedule.