Dr. Marsha Davidson Mamdani, Ph.D. in Education, is a dedicated educator, visionary philanthropist, and co-founder of First Sight Eyeglasses, Inc., whose lifelong passion for learning and equity has driven transformative changes in global health and access to vision care.
With a distinguished career rooted in education, Dr. Marsha has long championed the belief that quality education is a fundamental right, one profoundly impacted by something as basic as clear vision. Her academic expertise and deep understanding of how visual impairment hinders learning, particularly among children in underserved communities, have been central to her humanitarian work.
Alongside her husband, Nizar Mamdani, Dr. Marsha has traveled to over 50 countries, witnessing firsthand the barriers faced by millions in developing regions. According to the World Health Organization, over a billion people worldwide suffer from uncorrected refractive errors, with children and adults alike trapped in cycles of limited opportunity due to the simple lack of affordable eyeglasses. These experiences profoundly shaped her commitment to actionable solutions.
Motivated by this global need, Dr. Marsha co-founded First Sight Eyeglasses, Inc. (firstsight.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization revolutionizing vision care in resource-limited settings. Drawing on her educational background, she played a pivotal role in developing the organization's innovative, portable Vision Kit—a patent-pending system that allows untrained volunteers to conduct accurate vision screenings and assemble custom prescription eyeglasses on-site in under 10 minutes, without electricity or professional equipment. Clinically validated for precision by the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Department of Ophthalmology, this approach ensures high-quality, free eyeglasses reach those who need them most through partnerships with NGOs, schools, clinics, Lions Club, Rotary International, faith-based groups, and healthcare systems like AdventHealth.
Under her guidance and collaboration, First Sight has distributed tens of thousands of eyeglasses (with recent reports exceeding 145,000 pairs) across more than 32 countries, empowering children to excel in school, adults to pursue meaningful work, and entire communities to break free from poverty's grip. Her emphasis on education as the cornerstone of progress shines through in the organization's focus on young learners, where clear vision directly translates to improved academic outcomes and brighter futures.
Based in Naples, Florida, Dr. Marsha continues to contribute passionately to First Sight's mission, working tirelessly to expand its reach and impact. Her blend of scholarly insight, compassionate drive, and innovative spirit exemplifies how education and philanthropy can intersect to address one of the world's most overlooked public health challenges.
Dr. Marsha Davidson Mamdani's enduring legacy is one of empowerment: proving that with the right tools and determination, we can illuminate paths to education, opportunity, and independence for millions around the globe.