Hanifa, the creator of Free Women Alterations, learned how to sew at just 13 years old in her home country of Afghanistan. What began as a practical skill eventually became a lifelong craft, one that would later help her build a business and a mission.

After relocating to the United States as a refugee, Hanifa experienced firsthand the challenges of starting over in a new country. She also recognized that many refugee women faced similar obstacles, especially when it came to finding work and building stability.

Hanifa founded Free Women Alterations with two goals: to offer quality tailoring services to the community, and to create job opportunities for other Afghan women who had recently arrived in the U.S. She wanted to show that success doesn’t always require starting from scratch, often, the skills and experiences people already have can be a foundation for something meaningful.

Today, Free Women Alterations serves customers while also providing a supportive workspace where women can gain experience, earn income, and contribute to their communities. The shop is built on the belief that practical skills, hard work, and support can open doors, for customers and team members alike.