“We were so glad to have you speak to our girls at our International Women’s Day conference in March. It is not easy to capture and hold the attention of seventy-five teenagers, but from the moment you started talking you had them listening attentively.We appreciated you sharing the difficulties you have encountered to become the strong and joyful woman that you are. We all have troubles in our lives, and it is inspiring to meet someone who has overcome so many setbacks. As well, we liked that you emphasized the hard work involved in becoming healthy and whole, and also that you stressed that we need to help each other on our journeys. I am sure that the young women, and the adults too, left your talk feeling stronger, more capable and able to see happiness and success in their own futures”
Sincerely,
Bev Curtis
For all of the Jean Forest Leadership Academy staff
_________________________________________________________________________
Before inviting Harriet to be our keynote speaker at the International Women’s Day 2015, I organized for the Africa Centre, I had heard about her as an accomplished woman in her life: mother of three, Management Accountant accredited professional, active woman as a volunteer for various organizations, and especially as youth educator who help these young people develop self-esteem, and better prepare to build a good life for themselves, and for their community. Indeed, it’s Harriet’s role with youth that motivated me to approach her since many youth in Edmonton including youth African need tools to help them have good achievement in their life and be good citizens of tomorrow. These young people often face more than we think regarding the events experienced by their parents who are fighting hard to be successful in their role as parents, and in their immigration process. These young people who, in addition to the difficult times they are facing due to their age often need someone to tell them that everything is possible, and that they have lots of qualities and strengths to succeed. Harriet realized that our youth need to be listened, encouraged and guided. She embarked on this adventure with her beliefs, her conviction and her determination. By talking to Harriet, I discovered that this woman was a real humanist, a simple person who is listening and whose sole purpose is to make our world better. Thank you Harriet for all you are doing for our youth, because these young people are our future and if we do not prepare well our future today, our future will be compromised. So, thank you for all what you are doing for our communities. Thank you for being among the people who make our city so special and so unique.
Jeanne Lehman, Présidente
Francophonie albertaine plurielle (FRAP)
info@francoabplurielle.ca
Tel.780-721-8738
_________________________________________________________________________