Millsaps College's Michael Rhinehard was struck by the young Afghan woman's poise and self-assuredness, even in a culture noted for the dignity of its people.

That was a year ago. A representative of the Fulbright program, Rhinehard, assistant professor of political science at Millsaps, was in Afghanistan interviewing students for scholarships to study at the American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan. Most were young women over 20, their learning delayed by the black hole in education during the Taliban's rule. While no longer dangerous, education of women isn't valued.

Sabira Ebaady stood out - for her confidence and her determination. Although she came from outside the capital of Kabul, she could speak English without an interpreter's help. At age 12, she'd walked out of the country with her family, crossing the border to Pakistan on foot at night, carrying her youngest sister on her back.

In Pakistan, her work in a hospital's maternity ward, in a program run by the Japanese, honed her education goals.

She thought of the many Afghan women in villages who never contacted a doctor in delivery and died in childbirth.

She thought of the women who faced problems after delivery, or who suffered the death of a child from an incorrect injection. She thought of health problems and even death from poor and in-expert care.

She thought she could help. The math lover with an ambition to study engineering had a new idea: medicine.

Because that's what her people needed.

FAMILY'S 'ONLY HOPE'

The family returned to their village after the fall of the Taliban, and then to Kabul, for the university there.

Sabira's family has no sons. "I am the girl who belongs to a family whose only hope is me," she writes in an essay. Her father is often in another country - Dubai or Saudi Arabia - earning money to support the family. His words, about the abilities of girls as well as boys, sit strong on her shoulders, as does the weight of her people's needs.

"I never forget his saying that there is no difference between humans but in their knowledge and education," she writes.

MILLSAPS AID

Rhinehard's efforts and Sabira's story resonated with many at Millsaps, raising about $8,500, including an alum's $5,000-a-year grant and student clubs' leftover funds, usually used to throw an end-of-the-year party.

"Here's something you can do where it really makes a big difference in somebody's life," Rhinehard said. "Makes a big difference in a lot of people's lives."

Funding for her first year at Millsaps, where she can begin studying pre-med in the fall, has been secured; efforts continue to raise more for the rest.

You think about the value of an education. You think about the fierce desire and determination some need to get what is so available here. You think about the good it will accomplish.

Sabira could learn a lot from coming here. We could learn a lot from her, too.

-- Clarion Ledger