Julia Bolz
Julia is a nationally-recognized speaker and social justice advocate, who is dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering the poor in the developing world. In 1998, she traded a successful, international law career to help people in the world’s most impoverished regions amend discriminatory laws, procure loans, establish businesses, and negotiate political challenges. She has travelled to over 70 countries and has volunteered with dozens of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), government entities, and businesses around the world.
Since 2002, Julia has focused on educating girls in Afghanistan. The founder of “Journey with an Afghan School” and Ayni Education International, Julia has travelled to Afghanistan 16 times and has raised funds to build and equip 25 new schools and repair over 20 others destroyed by war. She also has partnered with local and international entities (such as community-based committees, NGOs, and government ministries) to identify specific tangible needs; research sustainable and effective solutions; and provide advice and expertise on development, legal and human rights issues.
In addition to helping build peaceful, just and sustainable communities, Julia has focused on building bridges of understanding between the U.S. and Afghanistan by meeting with Afghan government, religious and community leaders; facilitating exchanges; developing cross-cultural curriculum; bringing U.S. teams to Afghanistan; and hosting Afghans in the United States. Since 2002, she also has spoken over 500 times across the country about global poverty, strategies for tackling oppression and extremism, global education, and empowering of women and girls. Audiences have ranged from National Geographic Society to The Aspen Institute, Carmel Authors and Ideas Festival, Rotary, businesses, bookclubs, universities, the U.S. military, and hundreds of classrooms across the country.
Julia also regularly meets face-to-face with U.S. government, business, military and community leaders to talk about her experiences and the importance of educating children in the developing world. She networks with other NGOs and international entities to determine best practices and build bridges of understanding. And, she serves as an advisor on education to the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council.
A graduate of Smith College and Northwestern University School of Law, Julia is a powerful voice for those otherwise not heard. Among other things, she has been featured on the Hallmark Channel, and she was a recipient of A Fund for Women’s Fabulous Firsts Award for “Women who Led the Way,” Smith College’s Rally Day Award, and the Thomas C. Wales Foundation Award for courageous civic engagement, leadership, and passionate citizenship. Most recently, she was awarded the World Affairs Council (Seattle) highest award for global citizenship.
Julia resigned as an Ayni Board Member in October 2011, shifting her focus to global education advocacy and policy.
