Huwaida Medani
Change Agent
Huwaida Medani is an educator and diversity and inclusion consultant. She holds a Masters degree in Educational Psychology from the Mount Saint Vincent University, a Bachelor Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma from University of Khartoum, Sudan. Huwaida’s work and advocacy focus on intersectional feminism, gender equity, community development, inclusive diversity, and migration. Huwaida lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia and calls it home since 2005.
In Huwaida’s own words:
It was the evening of August 2, 2005 when the plane finally ended in Halifax where I knew a friend who lived here and she sold it to me. Since then, I have taken a lot from this community and gave it as much. I learned a lot and taught a little bit. I was lucky to have some meaningful volunteering and job opportunities. I did have my shares of frustration, discrimination, and aggression at time. I was embraced, loved, and mentored by great women in this beautiful city. The journey of teaching and learning continues.
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I struggle with the word "proud". It was planted in me that humility is the virtue of virtues. I am humbled that my Masters Thesis got the Senate Award of Distinction and that my community development and women's advancements efforts have gained Provincial recognition in 2018 when I received the Human Rights Award from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
Atlantic Canada is a beautiful region that is changing and will continue changing for the better. It is clearly getting more vibrant and more diverse. Nova Scotia today is so different from the province I landed in 2005. With diversity comes innovation and expansion of boundaries and that excites me, especially that I am one of the lucky people who can openly discuss issues of inclusion and how we can all do better and get better the more we celebrate our differences and similarities. I think Atlantic Canada is gaining more recognition in Canada and beyond. We will keep attracting the best artists, environmentalists, scientists, and change makers from the globe and we will make a community that resembles our nature given beauty.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
I think that might be the time when I came to a realization that we as people need each other. No one can "make it" on their own. We need to multiply our experiences and skills together to leverage each others growth. I think that realization made the shift for me as it gave me a better understanding of my role in life. Why am I here? My answer is to hold flash lights to those in my life (friend, coworkers, community). I flash the light on their strengths and help them see their strengths as they help me see mine.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
My favourite book is Season of Migration to the North by the great Sudanese writer Tayeb Saleh. If you are reading this, I encourage you to check it out. You will find it on Amazon and maybe even the Public Libraries. There is a beautiful translation in English, French, and other languages.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
I think the deepest learning from last year is finding your way despite barriers. I learned a lot from water. Water does not know barriers. It is never stuck in one place. It finds its way running down or up as it evaporates and comes back again.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
Oh, how much time do I have to answer this? I have been inspired by a lot of people in my life. My grandmother Hajja Ruqiyya inspired me a lot. I admired her patience, resilience, and beauty. She taught me hope and love. I am also inspired by my parents, some friends, and mentors. From these I mention Jane Henson, Sharon McDonald, Margie Macdonald, Ann Divine, Maha Amin. A great source of inspiration for me has been my thesis supervisor Dr. Michelle Forrest.
What would you have done differently?
Nothing! Everything I have done made sense at the time I did it.
What are the principles you live by?
Keep on keeping on!
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Giving hope and shining light!