Fatimah Hussein

Entrepreneur | Advocate for Muslim girls in sports | Community connector

Fatimah Hussein is breaking barriers for Muslim girls and women by transforming access to sports. A former refugee and proud Somali American, she is the founder of ASIYA, the first U.S. brand to create sports hijabs for active Muslim girls. She also founded GIRLSWIN, a nonprofit that offers safe, inclusive athletic spaces and mentorship to empower young women through basketball and community building. 

By tackling challenges once seen as insurmountable, Fatimah has reshaped what inclusion in sports can look like. With her growing leadership and bold, community-rooted solutions, she is emerging as a powerful advocate for the rights of women and girls on the world stage.

Fatimah is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership at Saint Mary’s University. Her vision includes developing a nationwide curriculum to increase the number of Muslim female coaches and referees, and to create safe spaces for difficult conversations, including support for women and girls who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). Fatimah will use her Bush Fellowship to deepen her knowledge base, establish strategic connections and refine her leadership skills to help Muslim girls and women excel in sports and life. 

What moment made you realize the power of your voice and vision?

A pivotal moment in my journey was delivering a TEDx talk titled “Play Proud: Leveling the Playing Field for Muslim Girls in Sports.” Standing on that stage, I never imagined that someone with my background—a former refugee from a low-income setting—would be sharing my work with a diverse audience. It was a powerful experience that reaffirmed my mission to inspire others and demonstrate that dreams can be realized, regardless of one’s starting point. 

What change are you working to make, and why?

I believe that increasing female representation in sports—especially Muslim female representation—will inspire confidence, health and community. Representation is important; when individuals see others who look like them succeeding, they feel a sense of belonging and community. By supporting young girls and women in becoming coaches, referees and leaders in sports, we can cultivate confidence and create a pipeline of role models for future generations.