Munawara Sultana immigrated to Buffalo from Pakistan. Despite the steep barriers to education faced by Pakistani women, Muna received an undergraduate degree that prepared her for her career as an entrepreneur. She is working to rebuild the female-led artisan business she established in Pakistan and hopes to open a cafe that features products made by Pakistani women. In addition to this work, she serves on Stitch Buffalo’s board of directors.
Hkawng Lung came to Buffalo from Burma and received her first-ever paycheck from Stitch Buffalo at the age of 72. “I was a refugee in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, until 2015 when I came to America, because it was still very unsafe there,” says Hkawng. “I am happy here in Buffalo. I can do whatever I want here. I can work and earn money, and that makes me very happy.” Hkawng’s work in the Refugee Women’s Workshop includes both machine sewing and hand embroidery.
Fouzia, Razia, and Zarghona. The newest members of Stitch Buffalo's commercial sewing team are Fouzia, Razia, and Zarghona (all originally from Afghanistan). Each of the
woman brings exceptional sewing skills to the Stitch Buffalo staff and to the creation of Water Buffalo Club products.