National Adult Literacy Database

November 28, 2011

This week, we have a story written by Sylvia Clement, from Tulita, Northwest Territories. Sylvia and her partner have a 5-year old daughter, and her teenage brother also lives with them. She is a student at the Norman Wells Learning Centre.  Sylvia is working to achieve her goal of a secondary school diploma and then plans to attend college.  In 2011, she received the Council of the Federation Literacy Award for her accomplishments.  Sylvia does volunteer work at Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita.  She is also very involved in cultural activities in both Tulita and Norman Wells.

What makes a strong woman leader?

by Sylvia Clement

When I look at People and see what life has for them and how they deal with it, for example the Residential Schools. Some people have made it in life and some of them just drink their life away to bury their pain. Some have worked so hard in life to not drink and have made a better life for themselves and their families. I view strength in women who have the following qualities and I also look up them.

They are the ones that are fighting cancer, working so hard and standing up for themselves.  They are the ones that are single Moms that are finishing school. They are women that have been abused and have made their voices heard when life was so difficult. These women still  have faith to move further in life.

The examples of women that are strong and leaders in the community and throughout my life also show respect for all people they meet. This is why they are s0 well respected. Respect is a two way street.

For example, Sister Celeste who love and accepted people good or bad. She opened and dedicated herself to the preschool and the community for year. Sister Celeste continues this dedicated for the loved ones. Leader Ship and strength also means having a positive impact on others, like Sister Celeste. She would take in Children while parents were out drinking, and loved them when these Children needed it the most.

There are many women that I have looked up to and still look to for strength and leadership.

Throughout have my life:

• Women who have lost their husbands and have raised their Children on their own .
• Women that have looked after their families and have made sacrifices for their families, but have for gotten to care for themselves.
• Women that have disabilities still achieve their goals and stand up for what is right.
• Women that have had to be mothers to their siblings while they themselves, were still children and stilled worked to achieve their goals.
• Women that have had to fight for their Children, their homes, and their independence. They fought to no longer being control.

These women's perspectives, Challenges and contributions should be voices of celebration to other women.

It is important for young girls to have self respect. I must have self respect to help young  people such as my daughter and brother to grow up to be self-respecting adults. This is important to me because as a young child I did not have people to lock up too. It was just too much hurt and not enough trust. All I knew was hurt and not the truth about myself, I was Confused. I hid my true from myself and others to protect myself. Since I have had my daughter my eyes have opened to a new world I want to give my daughter, brother and other young people a better and happier Childhood than mine.