From the Nominator

"In August 2021, when the Taliban took Afghanistan, 146 young women narrowly escaped with their lives. College students unwilling to give up their freedom, left their families behind and spent four days dodging bombs and bullets on their way to the Spartan military transport that would ultimately take them to the U.S.  

When leaders at the University of Delaware read about this escape, they felt compelled to act. Working with colleagues at other U.S. universities, Blue Hens worked to find new homes—academic and otherwise—for the women. UD took in the largest cohort of 14 women.  

In a 10-page package, the University of Delaware Magazine profiled three of these students, touching on everything from their passions (skateboarding and karate) to their childhood memories (picnicking in apple orchards and running from war). In the midst of so much grief and worry—particularly that their youngest sisters will be forced into marriage—the women shared their hopes for a better future, against all odds.  

The package required a great deal of relationship- and trust-building with the women, professional staff from the university’s English Language Institute and case workers from a partnering refugee resettlement agency. In the end, the piece inspired thousands of dollars worth of donations to a fund for the women, as well as ideas from faculty on ways to integrate the women and their global perspective into the Blue Hen community."

From the Judges

“Against All Odds” is an incredible story of courage, and the level of detail and sensitivity in the reporting is truly excellent. The author's good descriptions and compelling subject matter are well written and engaging. It is clear that an amazing amount of work went into this article, which has raised more in donations than what was spent on the illustrations.