News at St. Catherine's
"Hijabi Runner" Shares Her Experiences with Upper School
Zahra Arabzada, born in Afghanistan, spoke at St. Catherine's and St. Christopher's as part of the Camp Speaker Endowment.
Zahra Arabzada didn’t fully have a chance to live her teen years. Born and raised in Afghanistan, Arabzada moved to the United States as a 15-year-old to attend boarding school in Rhode Island. Her parents quit attending school at a young age, but believed in educating their nine children.
Known as the Hijabi Runner, Arabzada is an activist and runner. She visited both St. Catherine’s and St. Christopher’s, talking at St. Christopher's in the morning before speaking to St. Catherine's Upper School students, faculty and staff as part of the Camp Speaker Endowment. She visited with Upper School classes and ate lunch on campus with students as well.
Arabzada shared her experiences with the students and engaged in conversations to answer their questions. She told them that with her education came a perceived pressure of sorts. She felt the need to learn for all girls in Afghanistan and bring her experience and education back to her home country. Then in 2021 the US and Allied forces withdrew from Afghanistan and Arabzada turned her focus to rescuing her family from her homeland. She was successful as her parents now live in Canada.
At the end of her conversation with the Upper School, Arabzada left the students with three important lessons: step into discomfort and take risks; cultivate empathy and learn to understand others and lean into your community.
The Camp Speaker Endowment was created in memory of St. Christopher’s alum Paul Douglas Camp III ’56. His daughter Elizabeth Hanson graduated from St. Catherine’s in 1984. The Speakers Endowment was inspired by Paul’s devotion to his family, to education and to the community. Although Paul Camp was a dedicated servant of many organizations, above all he valued education and the strong foundation in service and character embodied in St. Christopher’s and St. Catherine’s Schools.
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.
