As an African woman who has lived in New Zealand for almost two decades, Mavis Kamota has faced her fair share of challenges. However, her unwavering determination and resilience have helped her overcome the biggest obstacle – learning to navigate the aspects of racism, discrimination, and social injustice faced by her community with remarkable emotional intelligence.
Mavis’s proudest achievement as an ethnic woman leader is founding and serving as the President of Embracing Diversity #IAmUnique, an organization dedicated to fostering resilience and empowering people from her culture to beat the odds that immigrants often face. She has recently authored an article for the Selwyn Connection magazine about Embracing Diversity (see page 7).
Her journey was not without guidance. The best advice Mavis received that helped her leadership journey was to “go with the flow and continue building ever-lasting relationships.” She wishes she had known earlier that she was not alone, and that a group like Lady Khadija’s existed to connect ethnic women leaders like herself.
Mavis’s leadership style and philosophy are rooted in respect for everyone, regardless of color, race, or religion. As a democratic leader, she strives to be the person who brings positive change to her community. Her vision for the future of ethnic women in leadership roles is to have more roles that accommodate and value their capabilities, acknowledging that they are ” highly capable and just as good.”
The ethnic women’s leadership course organized by Lady Kadija played a pivotal role in Mavis’s growth as a leader. It helped her gain confidence, knowing that there were other women who had walked the same path, and together they could encourage each other to keep moving forward with their heads held high, knowing that “the sky is the limit” and that a support system is in place.
Mavis Kamota’s story is a testament to the power of embracing diversity, resilience, and the strength that comes from a community of empowered ethnic women leaders.
If this story has inspired you, please share it around.
If you know of other ethnic women leaders in your community whose stories we could share, we’d love to hear from you – please contact us.