Razia Jan, Afghan-American Advocate for Girls’ Education, Passes Away at 81

Razia Jan, an Afghan-born entrepreneur and U.S. citizen known for founding a girls’ school near Kabul that has remained operational despite the Taliban’s resurgence, passed away on July 20 at her Los Angeles home in the Echo Park area. She was 81 years old.

Her son, Lars Jan, confirmed that the cause of death was congestive heart failure.

Before dedicating herself to education advocacy, Jan ran a successful dry-cleaning business in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Having lived in the United States since 1970, she became an informal cultural ambassador for Afghanistan following the U.S. invasion in 2001, sharing insights about her homeland with various community organizations and Rotary clubs, where she was an active member.

A single mother, Jan also devoted her efforts to supporting 9/11 first responders and victims’ families by crafting fleece blankets for emergency personnel and creating quilts featuring portraits of fallen firefighters and police officers.

Her humanitarian work extended to those affected by ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. She connected with Patti Quigley, whose husband died on United Airlines Flight 175 during the 9/11 attacks. Quigley, alongside other widows, was raising funds for Afghan widows, leading to a partnership based on their shared commitment.

When Jan established her school, Quigley, with a background in finance, took on the role of executive director of Jan’s foundation, Razia’s Ray of Hope, helping to sustain and expand the educational mission.