Our Story

We are an organization created by women for hard working women who need support and assistance during times of hardship. In this way, we create a support system for each other. Money travels through a trusted source (501c charity organization) to those in our community who need help.

Our History

Muslim Women’s Society (MWS) was founded in 1998 to provide assistance to women in the Houston community who were at risk, due to social circumstances that were many times out of their control. The initial challenge, which is still the case today, was to find women in need and pair them with people who could provide assistance.

Under the leadership of founding president Nadra Metawi, and her successor Rabab Sabbahi, MWS has become a vibrant organization, known for being able to help faster than larger organizations, because of our simple and in-person intake process. We also pride ourselves on maintaining the dignity of the women and families we help. A small intake team allows us to maintain their privacy. Additionally, assistance is often given as a no interest “loan,” so that those we assist do not feel as though they have been given a handout.

Our board and volunteers have donated their time, talents, and money because we all share the vision that together we are powerful and can overcome difficult challenges. Today we have a total membership body of some 50 people, a budget of roughly $25k, and organize an array of events and undertakings.

Who We Are

Rabab Sabbahi

President

Rabab Sabbahi serves as President of Muslim Women’s Society. She is the co-owner of The Dentists at Greenway. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002, graduated from University of of Texas Dental Branch in Houston in 2008, and then went on to complete a general practice residency at Harvard Dental School/Cambridge Health Alliance in Boston Massachusetts. Rabab is actively involved in her community and dedicates her time to community clinics and health fairs around town. She has done several mission trips where she provides free dental care nationally and abroad.

Salma Nassef

Vice President

Salma Nassef serves as Vice President of Muslim Women’s Society. She is a Certified Genetic Counselor and currently works at Baylor College of Medicine specializing in reproductive and cancer genetics. She holds a Master’s in Genetic Counseling from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Salma is very active in the Houston community and is always ready to volunteer. She currently serves as the Events Manager for a local refugee organization in Houston and is an active volunteer in the medical community.

Elizabeth Shittu

Secretary

Elizabeth Shittu has served as Muslim Women’s Society’s Secretary since 2014. She is a licensed attorney in the State of Texas with a background in Immigration Law. She is responsible for the MWS correspondence, record meeting minutes, and assist with intake and event planning. Elizabeth’s dedication to her community is profound as she is always willing to help in any way.

Salma Taher

Treasurer

Salma Taher serves as the Treasurer of the Muslim Women’s Society Board. Salma holds a Bachelor’s in Biology, Nutrition, and Political Science from the University of Houston and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Science from Texas Women’s University. She currently works at M.D. Anderson. She values community service and loves giving back in any way she can.

Lama Murad

Member At Large

Lama Murad serves as Member At Large on the Board of the Muslim Women’s Society. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Lama is a Certified Health Education Specialist and has worked with adolescents with various special needs for over 10 years. She has also been working with refugees for several years and places service towards her community very close to her heart.

Wafa Taiym

Member At Large

Wafa Taiym serves as Member At Large on the Board of the Muslim Women’s Society.  She currently is an Epidemiologist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She holds a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s in Public Health. She enjoys spending the weekends outdoors with her family and teaches her daughters the importance of giving back to their community!