SRA featuring Min’imah Shaheed

Min’imah Shaheed grew up on a farm in Arkansas with her mother, father, and nine siblings who were all sharecroppers.  Advancing to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she went back to school after getting married and rearing seven children.  Mrs. Shaheed is also the proud grandmother of ten, and has six great grandchildren.  She was a factory worker before going back to school.  She was employed there for 10 years and everyday she said that she was going to quit.  A thought would bombard her mind, such as: “You’re supposed to be helping human beings and not getting someone rich.” Each day she noticed that she was getting sicker by the moment. This condition progressed over time; eventually causing Mrs. Shaheed to quit her job. 

 

With a thirst for knowledge, at age 40, Mrs. Shaheed went back to school to advance her skills in basic academics. In the process, one of her instructors in her reading class asked her “To get her G.E.D. and go into the college crossover program.”  Mrs. Shaheed said, “Oh no, I can’t do college work!” And his reply was, “Oh yes you can.” The math instructor said, “Mrs. Shaheed, you have great potential.”  She replied, “Where.” He replied, “You have to bring them out.”   So that motivated her to continue with her education.  She set her goals by age 50; she would have her G.E.D. Associate and a Bachelor Degrees by age 50.  But she accomplished them at 49.  Mrs. Shaheed said, “Returning back to school was the best part of her life.  She met many wonderful instructors and professors whom she felt helped her build self-confident. 

 

She received her Associate Degree in Human Services at Milwaukee Area Technical College and her Bachelors at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.