By: Cadie Hopkins
NEW YORK November 10, 2023 – Today, CBS featured Project Raha’s art exhibition and online auction on the Morning Show with Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil, and Nate Burleson. In collaboration with the Command Purpose Foundation, Sisters of Service, and artist Jenn Hassin, Project Raha is a powerful testament to the strength and connections forged by women who served together in Afghanistan, and a visual reminder of the women veterans’ service and sacrifice. The exhibition captures the beauty of relationships forged in conflict, lost loved ones, and the collective healing journey of post-9/11 veterans. Importantly, the proceeds from the sale of these pieces will directly support Afghan servicewomen living in legal limbo in the U.S. after being evacuated from Kabul.
“Raha,” meaning “release” in Dari, represents a joint art project that transformed military memories into powerful works of art. U.S. and Afghan w I’m omen veterans participated in two art retreats in Texas, where they creatively processed their experiences by turning materials like old uniforms and traditional Afghan clothes into paper and pulp. These materials included old military uniforms, traditional Afghan clothes, hijabs and shemages, as well as clothing worn during the evacuation effort on C-17s.
Artist Jenn Hassin then embarked on a journey to respond to these shared experiences, pushing the boundaries of her artistry to visually narrate the stories told by her U.S. and Afghan veteran sisters. The resulting artworks are a testament to the therapeutic power of art in processing transition and healing.
The exhibition will be open from November 2 to 30 at Affirmation Arts in Manhattan. The online auction to bid on and purchase artwork is powered by Artsy, running from November 1 to 13, offers a unique opportunity to acquire these transformative pieces.
This Veterans Day, rather than just thanking a veteran for their service, you can actively support women veterans through Project Raha—honor their service through action by participating in the online auction and contributing to the transformative journey of these inspiring U.S. and Afghan servicewomen.
For more details, explore the Project Raha website. Don’t miss this touching story of art, healing, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood.
Photo Credit: Tomas Segura
About Command Purpose Foundation
The Command Purpose Foundation, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to serving military women transitioning into the civilian world. For this project, they harnessed the therapeutic potential of art to help these women veterans process the complex resettlement journey following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
About Sisters of Service
Sisters of Service was founded by female Army service members in the wake of the refugee crisis following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan to ensure their Afghan sisters-in-arms had a bedrock of support throughout their resettlement journey. Project Raha furthers the Sisters of Service mission by offering female veterans and refugees pathways for continued meaningful acts of service and opportunities to uplift one another while overcoming everyday life challenges.
About Jenn Hassin
Jenn Hassin, a U.S. Air Force veteran and acclaimed artist, is at the heart of this endeavor. Hassin is known for her transformative work, collecting personal artifacts that carry embedded histories of trauma and using them as the raw materials for her art. She brings these materials to life, creating wall hangings, installations, and sculptures that give a voice to the matter itself.