Leading with Courage at Wellsprings for Women
At a recent Board meeting at Wellsprings for Women, the theme of courage was considered. The Board was able to bring to mind the many woman who come to Wellsprings with their unique story of courage and strength, quoted below by Joanne Rosewell. At Wellsprings, working for justice is difficult and complex. Society protects the privileged and to move against this current takes discernment, courage and resilience.
The Know My Story Project was launched by Wellsprings at Harmony Square in Dandenong on Wednesday. It is a collection of ten inspiring women from migrant and refugee backgrounds who have shaped the cultural landscape of Dandenong.
Their persistence, resilience, tenacity, singlemindedness and determination are perfect examples of “where courage is found” when change is needed…
Their stories speak of the pain and adversity of …
- leaving behind all of our family, friends, memories and belongings
- a culture here which is completely opposite to what I had known in my country
- the difficult decision to leave one's home
- not being able to work due to the lack of recognition of prior qualifications
- starting everything again, creating their whole identity.
Sharing their stories and the barriers they needed to overcome, their experience
speaks of “Leading with courage”…
- Empowerment of other women, ‘If I could do it, they could do it.’
- The need to stay strong, to stay alive
- Makes me happy to see women decide to go back to study and work after experiencing social isolation, depression and feeling worthless.
- The need to be strong for my kids, set up women’s support groups so other women have a better experience than mine
- Afforded a sense of freedom, sense of independence, able to follow your own pathway here in this country
- Facilitated a playgroup with a focus on reaching isolated, new migrant families with young children
- Strong commitment to empowerment of those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder
- Making a Difference, a program seeking to build a human rights culture as well as building resilience in the context of community
- Advocating, being a voice for those with needs in her community
- Able to relate to their struggles, helping new migrants who experience helplessness, isolation and loneliness. Friends of Refugees, doing our best to add value to other people’s lives.
- Counselling and supporting women experiencing Family Violence.
Read more of these inspirational stories by clicking here.