I was born and raised by a single mother and grandmother in Oromia, Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, I experienced discrimination based on my ethnic background and Christian belief. I am Oromo, and Oromos have been discriminated against in Ethiopia ever since they were forcefully occupied by Abyssinians in the late 1880s. As a woman, I also experienced first-hand gender discrimination, dehumanization, imprisonment, torture and marginalization. I was afforded the opportunity to change my life after I came to United States, where I witnessed the achievement of women and the opportunities that are open to women. This has only fueled my passion and dedication to make a difference in the lives of women in Oromia– my place of birth.
My husband and I came to United States in the early 1990s and applied for Political asylum. We were granted political asylum and eventually became naturalized citizens. My husband and I lived in Dallas, Texas. This opened opportunities that we had never experienced before. For the first time in our lives, my husband and I experienced the true meaning of freedom. The freedom to dream and work to achieve our goal. The freedom to education, the freedom to express our Christian religious beliefs, the freedom to voice our political beliefs, and the freedom to be entrepreneurs. I took advantage of what this country afforded me. I worked in several private sector jobs where I started at the bottom and moved up the ladder to eventually supervisory positions both in Dallas and after I moved to Columbus, Ohio. My husband and I also started a few family businesses, and we are still at it.
I was able to educate myself while working. I am a computer Certified Microsoft Systems Engineer (MCSE). I also have associate degree in Business administration from Columbus State Community College, Columbus OH, and a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Franklin University, Columbus, OH. Currently, I’m working for Danny’s Car Service
My husband and I have over 19 years nonprofit/volunteer work experience facilitating the assimilation of immigrants from Oromia region of Ethiopia into American workforce and culture. I am familiar with national, state, and Columbus-area charity networks, and worked with some including Catholic Charities USA, International Friendship INC, Lower Light Ministries, Victory Mission, and the Columbus Mid-Ohio Food Bank. I went on Mission trip to Uganda and Oromia (Ethiopia) from June 26 to August 10, 2012 and Mission trip to Uganda March 31, 2011 to April 14, 2011 with New Life Church Gahanna leadership team. I am a member of Columbus Rotary Club and co-founder of Nekemte Rotary Club in Oromia, Ethiopia.
In 2012, I started Christian based Nonprofit Organization called “C.G. Women’s Empowerment (CGWE)” whose mission is to create economic self-sufficiency for women, children, and entire villages in Oromia region.
See Dureti (Mimi)’s Prison Experience by Ethiopia’s Communist Regime
About Cawwaaqee Guuttatta
What does “CGWE” mean?
C.G. stands for Cawwaaqee Guuttatta.
Cawwaaqee was a woman who got married against her will, essentially kidnapped, and forced to stay with her husband. Cawwaaqee did not have any right to stand up for herself. She had no choice but to endure the hardship of walking 10-15 kilometers to her distant farm fields to grow coffee beans and corn to sell and to feed her family. She took care of the household needs and the needs of her children.
Cawwaaqee worked hard and raised her two children on her own in addition to four other children and six grandchildren. Her strength, determination, and hard work brought light into her children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
C.G. Women’s Empowerment (“CGWE”) believes that empowering women to be key agents of change is an essential element to achieving the end of hunger and poverty. Women bear almost all responsibility for meeting the basic needs of the family, yet they are systematically denied the resources, information, and freedom of action they need to fulfill this responsibility.
