“I believe we could help each other by reminding each other how strong we are” – Clemantine Wamariya
LE TOTE honors real women, with real style, every day. We know that clothing can have a huge effect on someones life. From the joy a tote brings when you find it on your doorstep, to the confidence you feel when you wear a new outfit to work. All of these moments had us thinking about how amazingly talented, beautiful, charming, and perfect our members are! So we decided to begin a series on Real Women with Real Style. We want to celebrate women. We want to celebrate you. We want to celebrate real women and real style. So to kickoff the celebration we sat down to chat with Clemantine Wamariya, a traveling Keynote Speaker and Human Rights Advocate living right here in San Francisco!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BTpc2_9NuI]
Clemantine Wamariya is a Storyteller and Human Rights Advocate. Born in Kigali, Rwanda, Clemantine was 6 years old when the Rwandan Genocide broke out. Clemantine’s older sister Claire led their fortunate escape. During the next six years, Claire and Clemantine lived in refugee camps, separated from parents and relatives, in seven different countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. Clemantine’s experiences embolden her to fight injustice and to champion the cause of those without opportunity or the protection of law. For the past eight years, she has shared her riveting experiences as both a survivor of genocide and as a refugee. Clemantine received her BA in Comparative Literature from Yale University and is on the board of Women for Women International and was appointed by President Obama to the U.S. Holocaust Museum Board. She is also an advisory board member at Refugee Transitions.
Learn more about Clem below and don’t forget to check out her LE TOTE closet here!
What’s your favorite quote of all time?
“Criticize by creating”- Michelangelo
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains National Park and Lamu, Kenya.
What non profits are you involved with right now?
Refugee Transition in SF
Women For Women International
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
One Campaign
Who are your role models?
–Magatte Wade, a Senegalese entrepreneur , CEO &Founder of TIOSSĀN.
–Tsitsi Masiyiwa, philanthropist and social entrepreneurship. She is the executive chairperson of Higher Life Foundation (HLF)
What tips can you give women on dressing?
Wear clothes that makes you feel the beauty in you.
Favorite pieces from LE TOTE?
Lindell Ruched Dress by Max Studio
Give us some words of wisdom! What advice can you give our members and other women reading this article today?
Live, serve & love yourself and others. Life is too short to not love and serve.
How do you live #LIFEUNLIMITED? Share a post about how you are living life to the fullest on twitter or instagram.
Tag @letote with the hashtag #lifeunlimited.
You could be the next woman we feature in our Real Women Real Style series!