Maryam is a passionate environmental activist and avid student at Fullerton College. Her climate organizing journey started back in middle school when she organized her first protest with her school activism club. Since then, she has been a leader in the Sunrise Movement as well as an organizer with Fridays For Future since 2022 and a plaintiff in the Genesis V EPA constitutional climate lawsuit since late last year. Maryam's commitment to environmental issues extends to her diet, an aspect of life she feels empowered to influence. As a vegan, she chooses her food choices to minimize her environmental impact and save animal lives. As a Muslim she feels a connection to Islam’s call to care for animals and the planet and takes part of her motivation from her faith. 

The increasing heat in Southern California due to the climate crisis is impacting Maryam’s religious practices. For example, abstaining from food and water during Ramadan during really hot days is difficult, as is wearing her hijab and conforming with her religious attire, including long sleeves and pants.   

In 2023, Maryam and her family were under threat of evacuation due to Tropical Storm Hilary and worsening wildfires and wildfire smoke has harmed her quality of life and caused school shutdowns, interfering with her learning. Maryam worries about the long-term sustainability of life in California as well as climate-related threats to her family and friends in Pakistan.   

In her free time Maryam enjoys reading, working on her business, and spending time with her four cats: Bernie, Sanders, Ayanna, and Ilhan.