Hagir S. Elsheikh

Hagir S. Elsheikh is a Sudanese-American human rights activist, entrepreneur, author, nurse. She is the founder of the non-profit Tomorrow's Smile Inc. and is the owner of HSE Staffing Agency LLC.

Early life
Hagir Elsheikh was born in 1977 in the small Sudanese village of Tandalti, where her father was a physician's assistant. Her father's job meant the family would often travel and share their resources with others, and they eventually relocated to the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

Growing up under Sharia Islamic Law meant that Elsheikh's rights were restricted from a very young age and as she neared adulthood she became one of the few female activists who spoke publicly for the Democratic Forefront. Because of her vocal opinions, Elsheikh was often detained and beaten. Security forces once hung her from a tree and beat her for 10 hours, then left her bloodied body in front of her home. Years later, the government militia detained and tortured her further and cracked her head open with a metal bar.

After repeated political violence and torture, and finding she was wanted by the military junta of Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Elsheikh fled Sudan. Newly married and pregnant, she arrived in Egypt where she applied for refugee status.

Career
After earning her CNA certificate, Hagir continued to study and went on to become a Registered Nurse.

In 2013, she founded HSE Staffing Agency, LLC, a healthcare staffing agency serving all of Pennsylvania. HSE provides nursing, allied healthcare, and advance practice with many of the Commonwealth's top hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Elsheikh also founded the nonprofit organization Tomorrow's Smile, Inc. which is aimed at combatting domestic violence.

Hagir also sits on several Boards and volunteers her time and resources with a number of organizations including HACC, Central Penn Community College, Church World Service, Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness, the YWCA, Pennsylvania Alliance Against Human Trafficking, TASSC, and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Awards

 * Central Penn Business Journal Woman of Influence, 2017.
 * Pennsylvania Distinguished Woman, 2018
 * GCU Hall of Fame, 2019
 * PennLive Tribute to Black Leaders