I would like to thank Lee Bell from Individual Dimensions in Learning who has done two things for my son, Dylan. First, and most importantly, Dylan went to Lee for his ACT and SAT prep classes. He did so well, that he has been accepted to his first choice of colleges: Boston University. Second, Lee hired Dylan to work for her. He has become more responsible (not easy for a teenage boy), he has learned new skills, and he enjoys going to work.

Thank you, Lee! As Hillary Clinton said, "It takes a village to raise a child." I appreciate you being part of his village.

Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, actress and model, Somy Ali moved to Bombay, India where she worked in 10 Hindi films and several commercials. She then moved to the United States to obtain a degree in psychology. She attended the Nova Southeastern University in Florida and in three years graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in psychology. While working on her bachelor’s degree, Somy worked at a local radio station doing talk-shows on social and political issues. It was during this time that she became very interested in journalism and decided to attend the University of Miami to obtain a master’s degree in print journalism. During this time she developed an interest in documentary films and left Miami to attend the New York Film Academy.  She then completed short films on Abortion, Domestic Violence, and Teenage suicide prior to graduating with a degree in film making, direction, scrip writing and editing in 2003.  In 2004, she attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting and obtained a degree in broadcast journalism. Somy’s first documentary film, “I Can Survive,” aired at Senator Hillary Clinton’s benefit in Washington DC. The film focused on Pakistani rape victim, Mukhtaran Mai, and her fight for justice.

Consequently today after a successful university career, Somy Ali has evolved into a US based human rights advocate and documentary film maker, who is both passionate about educating the public , and working to help solve complex global issues. Somy has been involved with women’s rights issues in South Asia. She is working towards bringing the plight of rape and domestic violence victims to the media’s attention. As the founder of both No More Tears and So-Me Designs, Somy Ali draws upon her first hand experiences from living in Pakistan and working as a Bollywood movie actress in India during her young adult years. No More Tears’ mission is to rescue domestic violence victims that are brought to the U.S. via arranged marriages.

www.NMTproject.org

For more information please visit: www.SomyAli.com

For “I can Survive” footage, please go to www.youtube.com

For interview on WLRN, please go to www.paulleary.org/web/Home/Entries/2009/10/26_Entry_1.html