Four Arab American Women Who Are Making History During Women’s History Month: Fadwa Hammoud

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history. In the United States, it is also a time to recognize the experiences of women from various backgrounds, including Arab American women.

For our March #workforcewednesday, our Workforce Development Committee has interviewed 4 Arab American Women for Women’s History Month, and we will share them with you each week.

Our First Arab American woman is Fadwa Hammoud, a Palestinian American lawyer who has made history as the first Muslim Arab American solicitor general in the United States. Fadwa Hammoud’s appointment in 2019 to the position of Solicitor General for the State of Michigan has broken barriers for Arab American women in the legal field.

As solicitor general, Fadwa Hammoud was responsible for representing the state of Michigan in legal matters and advising state agencies and officials on legal issues. Fadwa Hammoud has used her position to advocate for justice and equality, particularly for marginalized communities.

Ms. Hammoud has played a critical role in addressing the Flint water crisis, which exposed the dangers of lead contamination in the city’s water supply. She was part of the team that launched an investigation into the crisis and played a key role in bringing criminal charges against state officials responsible for the disaster. Her efforts have helped to hold those responsible accountable and improve the lives of Flint residents.

Fadwa Hammoud is currently the Chief Deputy Attorney General at the Michigan Department of Attorney General. As Chief Deputy, Ms. Hammoud is responsible for overseeing the Department’s 3 Bureaus, which are comprised of 18 civil divisions, and 4 criminal divisions, its Criminal Investigations Division and the offices of Human Resources, Fiscal Management, Legislative Affairs, and Public Information and Education. In total, Chief Deputy Hammoud oversees over 500 employees and is responsible for managing the Department’s $100 million annual budget.

In addition to her legal work, Fadwa Hammoud is also a community activist and advocate for social justice. She has been involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting the rights of marginalized communities and combating discrimination and prejudice. Chief Deputy Hammoud’s accomplishments are a testament to the resilience and strength of Arab American women, who have overcome numerous challenges and obstacles to achieve success in various fields. Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women like Ms. Hammoud, as well as to raise awareness of the challenges they face.