Fatou Wurie is a doctoral student at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. She just experienced a devastating blow as she was denied a non-immigrant visa due to new travel restrictions imposed in June 2025. This denial prevents her from attending her own graduation ceremony. It throws a wrench into her plans to defend her doctoral dissertation, an important milestone in her academic journey.
Wurie, a trailblazer from Sierra Leone, is transforming the field of women’s health. She created Youterus Health to bring powerful social good to this critical space. The organization focuses on addressing neglected gynecological conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, and adenomyosis, which disproportionately affect women in Africa. Her research has contributed to enhancing the reproductive health of African women and developing sustainable health solutions on the continent.
As a full-time mother to a two-year-old daughter, Wurie has successfully intertwined the life of an expert and a parent while raising a child. Incredible, but true, she sat for her written boards just weeks after delivering her newborn in early 2023. Yet she has stayed fiercely dedicated to her craft and to her family. This devotion reflects her fierce determination to overcome both personal and professional obstacles.
To get her visa, Wurie had to submit to invasive medical examinations and long background investigations. She had to show that she was financially secure. On top of that, she had to prove to U.S. immigration officials that her being here would provide some sort of “national value.” She met every eligibility standard in her application. Regrettably, it was rejected, and she therefore lost out on a defining moment of her academic career.
Wurie shared how she was dismayed by the travel ban’s effect on her graduation plans. “This moment is not just about me; it’s about representing all the women I aim to serve back home in Sierra Leone,” she stated. For Wurie, being at that graduation ceremony is a fitting acknowledgement for all the struggles she faced. It commemorates her life-long commitment to advancing women’s health across Africa.
Continuing her work on the African continent Staying true to her African roots is central to Wurie’s focus. She envisions leveraging her education and research to implement effective health solutions that address the unique challenges faced by women in her home country and beyond. Wurie’s passion to impact the world knows no bounds, because in her mind success means doing more for those who have the least voice.
That’s why her visa denial raises such serious questions. Most importantly, it shines a light on the undue burdens imposed on the scholars and researchers who are on the frontlines of global health efforts. It’s no secret that academic institutions and professional organizations alike advocate for diversity and inclusion within educational spaces. They stress how international scholars bring unique perspectives and knowledge that are invaluable.