Ewuraba - Professional African Women with Class and Style

On stage, Miriam Zenzi Makeba exuded an uncommon grace that was unforced just like the simple lyrics of her songs that has thrilled audiences across the world for decades. You need not understand the lyrics of her songs to appreciate both the intensity of their message, or the ingenuity that underpin them.

They were simple country ballads and village lores that evoke memories of lost innocence, an idyllic existence that speaks to our shocking repudiation of brotherhood and community. Yet, those innocent lyrics, devoid of any fiery rebuke, were considered atrocious by South Africa's then apartheid government which revoked her citizenship and right to return to her home country, after her appearance in a riveting anti-apartheid documentary, Come Back Africa, in 1960.

Thus began a spell in exile that spanned decades from the United States (from where she fled after series of harassment from the authorities) and later Guinea. The Guinean government of Sekou Toure gave her all the courtesies a continent's mother (she is popularly called Mama Africa) deserves, even asking her to address the United Nations General Assembly on its behalf. She did that twice, and on each occasion spoke out against the evils of apartheid.

More accolades were to come later: She was received by such world leaders as Hailé Selassie, Fidel Castro, John F. Kennedy and François Mitterrand. Makeba has also toured with great singers such as Paul Simon, Nina Simone, Hugh Masekela and Dizzy Gillepsie.

Best known as the only Black Female High Altitude Mountaineer in the World

"Mountaineering has taught me to remain focused on the end result when it seems like chaos reins. I've climbed through pain, discomfort, doubt, despair, blizzards, snowstorms and I'll continue to do so. It is the quality of our thinking that gives rise to the quality of our performance levels." 

Deshun was a member of the first South African expedition to Mount Everest in 1996 as well as the Discovery one in 2003. Deshun was new to mountaineering when she attempted Everest for the first time, but has since climbed some of the worlds most challenging peaks under the most gruelling conditions. She has been on eleven major expeditions in the past 8 years, reaching a personal record of 8 200m above sea level on Everest's Death Zone. Born in an Eastern Cape township, Deshun  moved to Gauteng with her family when she was 13. At that age she already dreamt of one day climbing Mount Everest and her story is proof that one does not need to be rich to make your dreams come true. 

She was a schoolteacher for five years when her life was "interrupted" by Everest. "Mountaineering offers one a new perspective on one's strengths, weaknesses and your ultimate breaking point. This allows me to apply my practical knowledge, assisting people in using their natural thinking process to push themselves to limits they didn't believe possible. I've pushed myself to unbelievable limits in human endurance and still haven't found my breaking point!"

"My parents never turned away anyone who asked for help," she said.

Others noticed her efforts however, and on Monday she will receive a leadership award at the United Nations. Snowden retired in 1999 from teaching math in Frederick County Public Schools. She has been a member since 1965 of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs Inc., which gives time and money to help young women better themselves.

When she heard the NANBPWC had nominated her for her work as a liaison between the group's mid-Atlantic district and the international affairs division, she was a bit taken aback.