Dr Madina Wasuge
By Mohamoud Abdi
Madina Wasuge, Executive Director,
On 25 May 2007, Dr Madina Wasuge of
In an editorial entitled Their Success is our Victory, The Hamilton Spectator wrote that the Hamilton Women of Distinction “reminds us that a community doesn’t grow or improve by some happy accident. It takes perseverance by individuals who care enough to make a difference. These awards take the measure of real people whose work -- often done in obscurity, without fanfare -- strengthens our world.” Madina was one of those individuals who made a difference and whose work did strengthen the communities in
Dr Wasuge is the Executive Director of
“Racism is not acceptable, violence is not acceptable”, said Madina when she took the charge of the Center for Civic Inclusion and embarked on her journey to fight racism, bigotry and poverty.
Before becoming the Executive Director of HCCI, Madina was Director of Operations with the Settlement and Integration Services Organization, an organisation that worked with newcomers to
Madina is a qualified medical doctor. She gained her Medical and Surgical Degree from the
Madina has more than 14 years of operational and administrative management experience in the context of settlement agencies. She has also developed and tested conflict transformation models. In addition she has extensive experience in the area of design and delivery of training on equity and human rights, integration and cross-cultural communication to a broad range of service providers including the Hamilton Police Services.
Madina also has more than 15 years of volunteering and community activism experience with a range of organizations and committees such as Strengthening Hamilton’s Community Initiative Working Group, Community Coalition against Racial Discrimination, Homelessness Steering Committee, Black Leaders Coalition and Refugee Women’s Mental Health in
Madina is the recipient of a number of awards such as the City of
Madina also campaigns relentlessly for equity and fairness for the immigrant professionals. In December 2006, she testified in the Ontario Legislative Council during the discussion of a piece of legislation that was recently passed and that would bring down the barrier professional newcomers face in pursuit of their professions.
“The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act represents one of the boldest attempts by a provincial government to address inequities that confront newcomers," said Madina.
Madina is a woman all the Somali people can be proud of. She is a positive role model for every person, Somali or otherwise, who is aspiring to achieve despite adversities. Every Somali would rejoice in her achievement.
Congratulations and Well Done.
Mohamud Abdi
E-mail: [email protected]