Walk through any major American hospital and there is a reasonable chance you will encounter a Kurdish American physician or nurse. Drive through any mid-sized American city and you might pass a Kurdish-owned restaurant, auto shop, or construction company. Check the faculty rosters of American universities and you will find Kurdish American professors teaching engineering, literature, and political science.

This professional presence is not an accident. It reflects the values that Kurdish families brought with them — a deep investment in education, a willingness to work hard and sacrifice for the next generation, and a recognition that professional success in America requires credentials that transcend language barriers. The first generation often worked jobs well below their qualifications so their children would not have to.

The result is a second and third generation that is present across the full range of American professional life. Kurdish Americans serve in the U.S. military, work in federal agencies, practice law, and run for local office. Their success is a community achievement, and KASA is proud to count many of them among our members and volunteers.