Project Officer, International NGO, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The African Union Summit kicked off in Addis Ababa the day I met Ms. Ruth Girma. Traffic jams and road closures forced us to schedule and re-schedule. Ms. Girma was gracious and patient to check in and help me navigate the busy Ethiopian capital that week. Ruth was nominated by a wonderful WOW Woman and a friend from New York and I was thrilled to finally meet this eloquent and confident woman. Ms. Girma shared with me an exciting development about to take place. She was uprooting her life, moving out of her home town, Ethiopia’s capital, in pursuit of an opportunity on the opposite coast of Africa, in Dakar, Senegal. She would be leaving several days later to start a new role at the Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance and Training (IRESSEF). Speaking three languages (Amharic, English and French) and with the wealth of experience, Ruth will be more than qualified to help IRESSEF become the a hub for health research, surveillance and training in Africa. Exciting development indeed.

1. Name.

Ruth Girma.

2. Where is your hometown?

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I have mostly been involved in project coordination and management work. I am a Project Officer for a non-governmental organization that works on improvement of quality of laboratory services. My average day entails engaging with implementing partners, donors as well as internal staff members to oversee and monitor program activities.

4. What did you study in school?

Business Administration and Information System.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

The journey to get to where I am today has been quite exciting. I have had the privilege of working with strong and resilient people, who have served as my mentors and have inspired me to aim high and work hard to achieve my goals.

A breakthrough moment that defined my life, I would say, was the summer after I graduated high school. Back then, I wanted to be a medical doctor and everything I had done until that point in my life was to achieve this goal. When it was time to go to college though, I learned the university I was assigned to was one outside of the capital, Addis Ababa. At that point, I couldn’t imagine myself living outside of the capital and after careful consideration, I chose not to join the university.

Instead, I changed my field of study to social science and joined another university in Addis Ababa. This decision seemed a bit crazy at the time, but as time went on, it was evident that it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. I loved studying Business Administration and as I entered the working world, I knew project management was what I wanted to pursue as a career path.

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” One of my favorite quotes from Steve Jobs.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

After college, I have always had an idea of the kind of life I wanted to live, and the things I wanted to achieve, but I just never had any idea on the hows. I guess that’s what makes life interesting. The things I imagined I would prioritize at this point in my life, are no longer a priority, so in that sense I can say my life turned out to be different than what I pictured when I was 20.

I’ve always wanted to travel, explore places, experience new things, cultures, etc. and my life choices have somehow been guided by this.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

I really don’t have an instance where life knocked me down per se but, there have been some surprises along the way. Whenever things are not going the way I thought they would, or something turns out to be more difficult than I thought it would be, I try to step back and re-assess my approach and change my course of action, if need be. In the words of Spencer Johnson, “The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.”

8. Advice for other women?

Be kind to yourself and take care of yourself. Don’t feel like you have to sacrifice your needs for the comfort of others. You come first.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

Absolutely! I think women can be all that we want to be.

There is a gradual change happening throughout the world for the past decade, and women are becoming more and more empowered. Of course, there is still a lot to be done but I think we’re on the right path.

I believe that it is time to move past from the conversation about our differences and focus more on our similarities. It is time we accept that we are different but equally capable of doing whatever it is we want to do. We should accept that our differences are what makes us whole as a society. 

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

My happy place is when I am with my family and close friends.

11. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I don’t really do much extra-curricular activities. Whatever time I have left from work, I watch movies, hangout with friends and read books.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

13.  What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

Fear of failing and fear of not knowing what I want, at any point of my life.

14.  Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

Not a single thing. I am a strong believer in everything happening for a reason. So, for all the good things I have in my life, I believe the not so good ones had something to do with them.

15.  What inspires you?

People and their stories. I have always been intrigued by the similarities of the things people go through in their lives and the fact that everyone’s life is defined by how we choose to react to things happening around us. Even one short talk with an inspiring person shows me a different perspective on things and helps me grow.

16.  What are you hopeful about?

I’m hopeful about people. I think people in their nature are caring and loving; they don’t like to see other people get hurt.

17.  What are some ingredients to a good life?

Laughter.

Good food.

Good sleep.

Family time.

Travelling the world.

I think if one can strike a good work/life balance, it is the key to happiness.

18.  What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why?

19.  What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

Invest more time for things you can learn outside of school. Read different kinds of books, speak with people, etc.

20.  What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favorite reads?)

I am currently reading a book by Daniel Colyle titled “The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups”. One of my favorite authors is Paulo Coelho and I tend to gift his books most.

21.  Who is a WOW Woman in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?

There have been many women in my life that have really inspired me, thought me to be strong and be a go-getter. Besides the people in my life though, I really admire Oprah Winfrey & Michelle Obama for demonstrating how strong women are and that there is really nothing you can’t achieve if you put your mind to it.

22.  Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

Email: ruthgdemissie@gmail.com