A Pandemic Job

A Pandemic Job

Phareda Be poses in front of a mirror while wearing her Bath & Body Works uniform. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Be's father lost his job, and she stepped in to help contribute income to her family's household. While she describes the experience of finding a job during the pandemic as difficult, she is happy that she can help her family through a time of need. A visible part of Be’s attire is the hijab, a headscarf that Muslim women wear to show their faith and modesty. Her position at Bath & Body Works is public-facing, and she explains that people who do not understand her religion stare at her sometimes. Some people even ask her questions about her headscarf, and Be sees these moments as educational. She said, “This article of clothing is so important to me because when I wear it, I feel so empowered and confident…My scarf does not limit my doings and although there are still some Islamophobic people out there, I want to make a difference.”

Phareda Be

August 9, 2020

Jamee N. Pritchard