The Stars of Hope Society (SHS) was created by Ola Abu Alghaib in 2006 by seven women with disabilities to serve as an organization run by women with disabilities for women with disabilities. Based in Ramallah, the organization is the only one of its kind in Palestine and one of only a small number internationally. SHS seeks to ensure opportunities in all walks of life for all women with disabilities. In only three years of functioning, it has brought together one of the most marginalized groups of the Palestinian community. Women with disabilities are given a platform from where they can feel secure, visible and equal. SHS creates a common voice in order to try to change their lives, despite a very challenging start.
From the resistance among some more established organizations to severe logistic problems of how to gather women, including women from more rural areas, SHS has overcome these challenges and succeeded in establishing itself as an important and recognized actor. This has been accomplished through strong and determined leadership, a participatory way of defining its program and activities, strong motivation among women with disabilities to improve their opportunities and learn together about the main concepts of empowerment, human rights, inclusion, advocacy and employment opportunities. Ola has been recognized for her work by being selected as an Ashoka fellow.