Background
HFI has been established in 2021 based on Dr. Agitu Wodajo’s decades of extensive experience with women empowerment, community/economic development, healthcare and social policy. The non-profit organization she founded in Minnesota before she moved to Atlanta, the International Self-reliance Agency for Women Inc. (ISAW), helped diverse immigrant women from different countries to make a positive difference in their family lives and communities. The organization provided the women and their families with culturally appropriate holistic services that build self-sufficiency and safety’ and policy- change advocacy that lifts barriers. Examples of the policy-change advocacy include:
1) A bill that was enacted in August 2004, exempting foreign-qualified nurses in Minnesota from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools’ (CGFNS) certification process and allowing them to take their NCLEX-RN exam after fulfilling Minnesota’s requirement and practice nursing while promoting cultural competency and accessibility of healthcare . Dr. Agitu Wodajo participated in the drafting and testified at the Senate hearing of this bill. 2) The new rule that was officially adopted by the Minnesota Board of Barber and Cosmetologist Examiners on May 15, 2006, exempting hair braiders from state cosmetology licensing requirements.
ISAW obtained Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 2003.
