Today, for the "Women's History Month" Campaign we are celebrating this gorgeous woman:

Meet Oda Ruta Whitehouse, 45, wife, mother of three and a  Case Manager.

”BELEIVE IN YOURSELF, YOUR JOURNEY AND A BRIGHTER TOMORROW”

Oda was born and grew up in Kigali, Rwanda. She is a mother to two independent young men, and an adorable daughter. Her job involves case management in adult behavioral health.

Challenges you had in life? How did you overcome them?

Life has presented me with numerous challenges, but my life after the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 was marked by significant changes and challenges that I pray, every single day that my children will never experience in their lifetime. 

My siblings and I lost our parents, one brother, and most of the family members who were closest to us.  My middle sister was 19, while my twin sister and I were only 14. My older sister was just 21 when she unfortunately passed away in 2002 after giving birth to her 3rd son. I’m not sure if I have completely overcome this trauma yet, or if I ever will fully heal, but it’s something I work on every day. I do whatever I can to live with it without letting it affect my daily life. It’s very hard.

In my culture, divorce is seen as a shameful act for both the individual and the family, and the judgments can be overwhelming if you’re not strong enough. As women, our emotions are often deemed invalid regardless if we are happy in the marriage. We are expected to sacrifice our well-being and happiness for our husband and children. After 17 years of marriage to the father of my children, the relationship ended in divorce. This aspect of our culture is something I deeply dislike.

Despite these challenges, I have a passion for becoming a successful business owner. I grew up with a business mindset and started my own venture at 24, running a men’s and women’s clothing store for 14 years, along with managing another business for 3 years. These were significant achievements in my life, and I look forward to getting back into having my own business someday.

What do you value most in life?

The most valuable aspect of my life is my lovely family, both my original and new family. My adorable children, my amazing new husband, my twin sister and our older sister give me so much joy, and they motivate me to become the best version of myself.

Advice for other women:

“Don’t let anyone who hasn’t been in your shoes tell you how to tie your laces.”

Here is one more of Odas's Favorite quotes:  

 “YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH, EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE YOU ARE”

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Thank you, Oda, for sharing your story and empowering others!

#womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womanpower #mainephotographer

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