Laeba, Lia, Jess, Ipinu and Yeganeh
“There will always be people that are threatened by a confident person, especially if they are a woman. Don’t ever feel the need to box yourself into something smaller or more “palatable” for anyone else.”
Laeba, Lia, Jess, Ipinu and Yeganeh are the artists and advocates who make up the student-led group 'Women Empowering Women’. Based at the University of Alberta in Canada, WEW work in collaboration with Nisa Homes to eliminate violence against immigrant and refugee women everywhere. Through their original digital content shared across their Instagram platform @ua_wew, they raise widespread public awareness on a range of issues impacting immigrant, refugee and Indigenous women. In doing so, they are empowering audiences to take educated action in support of a safer and more inclusive future for women everywhere. Meet Laeba, Lia, Jess, Ipinu and Yeganeh These are their stories.
Design by Jana Ali (former president/founder of WEW) pictured second from the right in the middle next to current WEW president Umaima Mirza
P: Please introduce yourself!
L: Hi, I’m Laeba! I’m the VP External at Women Empowering Women
L: Hi, I’m Lia and I am the Director of Events at Women Empowering Women
J: Hey, I’m Jess! I am the VP of Content at Women Empowering Women
I: Hi, I’m Ipinu! I am the Director of Volunteers at Women Empowering Women.
Y: Hi, I’m Yeganeh! I am the VP Finance at Women Empowering Women.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
L: Laeba: I am a pretty laid back person who loves to stand up for what she believes in.
What is your favourite thing about yourself?
Laeba: My ability to empathize with others and understand other people’s sides of things and use that to look at the bigger picture
Lia: My positive outlook on life and the compassion that I have for myself and others
Jessica: My capacity to give to others and to devote myself to projects and people I consider meaningful.
Ipinu: My reliability. My priority is always being there for those around me when they need me and I believe that I do that well.
Yeganeh: My heart. I love those around me dearly and will be there for them in a heartbeat.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
Laeba: People are going to try and say something to put you down regardless of what you do. So long as you know your intention is pure and you aren’t harming anyone, do what you need to do to be happy. Stop giving other people more importance than you give to yourself.
Lia: Don't let anyone dictate your life, and don't let yourself hold you back either. Focus on your goals and take time to understand your intentions. Know that change is necessary for growth.
Jessica: There will always be people that are threatened by a confident person, especially if they are a woman. Don’t ever feel the need to box yourself into something smaller or more “palatable” for anyone else.
Ipinu: You are not responsible for people’s reactions to your presence. Your worth cannot be determined by others so don't let them determine your actions at the detriment of your mental health.
Yeganeh: Be kinder to yourself and remember that the world is much bigger than you think it is. Also, embrace change, rather than fear it. It will help you grow more than you will ever know.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
Ipinu: To me, being a woman is to be truly myself. Womanhood looks different to everyone/ on everyone, thus I have learned rather than boxing parts of myself in more feminine or masculine boxes, that to be a woman is to be myself in its entirety.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
Laeba: My late grandma. She was always such an inspiration to me and my best friend. If she were here right now, I would thank her for always encouraging me to be true to myself and to always live my life for me and nobody else.
Jessica: Definitely my friend Abby. If she were here right now, I would tell her how incredibly proud and in a constant state of awe I am towards her drive, depth and determination to pursue her goals while helping others.
Ipinu: My mother. She is my very own superwoman, and has taught me so much throughout my life. She has done a lot for me and I am not sure I could ever repay her.