Ever since she was young, Irtefa Binte-Farid has wanted to make people smile. Even in the most difficult times during her family’s immigration to the United States, she always searched for the silver lining. As the eldest child, Irtefa quickly learned how to act beyond her years in order to support her parents. However, she retained her love of spending time with children. While explaining religion to infants in her Islamic School, Irtefa discovered her own faith and chose to wear the hijab (head-covering) worn by many Muslim women. The prejudice she has encountered because of her choice has only made her stronger. Tolerance has been a major part of Irtefa’s world ever since her mother taught her to step beyond boundaries and break stereotypes. Both her parents have inspired Irtefa to use her understanding of the suffering in Bangladesh to ease the pain. Her hope is to return there one day and start a free children’s hospital where she can fulfill her dream of making other children smile and see the beauty in the world.