Pamela Say, Cert. '24
"Marzia: A Judge’s Fight for Afghan Women’s Rights," co-written by Western New York native Pamela Say, Cert. '24, will be released on March 1, 2026.
Co-authored by Marzia Babakarkhail, the book, according to the press release,
Takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through the stark realities of life under Taliban rule—navigating checkpoints, relying on secret networks, and making high-stakes decisions in moments where every second mattered. Through vivid storytelling, "Marzia" brings to life the fear that gripped so many after the U.S. withdrawal, as well as the resilience that carried her and countless others forward.
“This powerful memoir chronicles the extraordinary journey of Honorable Marzia Babakarkhail, a pioneering Afghan family court judge who stood defiantly at the crossroads of law, activism, and resistance. In a system designed to silence women, Marzia fought for justice in the courtroom and beyond it,” said Rina Amiri, former U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, and current Cofounder and Principle for the Alliance of Diplomacy and Justice.
Pamela met Marzia after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Pamela was working as a contracted CEO and journalist for a global digital news outlet, where she interviewed Marzia for an article.
"After learning about Marzia's life - her will to survive and her advocacy for the oppressed - I couldn't get her off my mind," Pamela said. The two decided to write Marzia’s memoir, meeting weekly for over six months using an interview-style format, and incorporating extensive research from official government documents on the history of Afghanistan. From Marzia’s childhood in Puli Khumri, Afghanistan to her work alongside international governments and NGOs, the book illuminates the complex history of the Afghan people while highlighting the intense struggle Afghan women have faced throughout regimes and the rise of terrorist organizations.
“Reading Marzia’s story will make you think – what would I have done in the same circumstances? It will challenge your values and whether you’d be prepared to give up everything to live those values. Marzia is a true hero of Afghanistan,” said Debbie Abrahams, Member of Parliament, United Kingdom.
“This is more than a story of survival. It is a story of a woman whose bravery, kindness, and unshakable belief in justice changed countless lives,” said Deeyah Kahn, Emmy and Peabody award-winning documentary filmmaker.
Say grew up in Olean, New York and earned a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from St. Bonaventure University. She spent over two decades working in non-profit leadership, primarily as a vice president overseeing marketing and fundraising at universities. She later earned her MBA from SUNY Empire State University and a certificate in literary representation from UCLA Extension. In 2019, SUNY Empire University honored Say with their Emerging Leader Award. Today, she works as a full-time consultant supporting non-profits in fundraising and marketing, and as a book coach for emerging authors. Say has authored five books of her own, co-writes and ghostwrites, conducts developmental edits and walks authors through the publishing process from query to marketing.
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