Here’s to the Women Who Impacted Members of the GW Community - 2025 Edition Part 2
Throughout Women’s History Month, GW Today will highlight strong women through first-person testimonials.
March marks Women’s History Month, and GW Today asked members of the George Washington University community to share a story of a woman who has shaped or influenced their lives. Here is a collection of what some had to say about mothers, co-workers, friends, sisters-in-law and others with more testimonials coming throughout Women’s History Month. (Some entries have been edited for formatting and length.)
Havani Kooner
Student, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
My mom has shaped my life since the moment I was born. She has been my biggest support and my best friend and inspires me each and every day to strive for my goals. My mom has been by my side when it felt like no one else was and has always made me feel as though I am the most special person in the world. She has sacrificed so much to ensure that I have gotten to where I am today, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I have never met a stronger person in my life, and I don't think I ever will.
Yanhua Li
Student, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Yutong is a friend I met in Germany, where she was an exchange student. We became close friends after sharing our common interest in modern art during a museum tour. We kept in touch when I got back to the U.S. Last year, I experienced a deep depressed period after grief and loss. Her care and kindness sharing her experience living with depression provided me strong support. This friendship across long distance literally changed my life.
Michael Novak, M.A. ’22
My mother taught me fun, compassion and reason.
Donna Ginter
Associate Vice President, Supply Chain
I am a goal-oriented, task-focused individual. I look at the bottom line and then decide a course of action. Theora "Teddy" DuMont is the ying to my yang. She sees colors, textures and possibilities in everything. She is a very talented artist and designer, and looks at life differently, seeing opportunity where normally I see limited options. I like symmetry and balance, and she will purposely create things that are off center and a mix of colors that I would never have put together. This difference between us has made us great friends for decades. I believe everyone needs a close friend that sees you clearly and challenges you in areas where you may lack full understanding and openness. Once someone shows you the options you have in any situation, your thinking changes. You grow as a person and are a better contributor to society. If you think of it, this is the essence of higher education. You don’t need to be in college to have this phenomenon occur—it can happen anywhere with anyone at any time. I truly value my friendship with Teddy and know she thinks the same of me, even with my cloistered outlook!
Hannah Chichester Downs
Student, Milken Institute School of Public Health
When this woman came into my life, I was a young homeless teenager struggling immensely with loss and anger. She took me in as one of her own and immediately loved on me in all the ways I needed. She always takes care of everyone and continues to stay strong, even when she is struggling. Now she is going back to school after more than 20 years to become a family therapist. To see her immense passion for helping others and the work she constantly puts in to better herself inspires me to do the same. I would not be where I am today, finishing up my master’s degree, without my Mama Lynn. Mom, thank you for saving me from myself, allowing me to grow, and giving me the loving environment I always needed and yearned for. I love you so much.
Joe Faith
Student, School of Engineering and Applied Science
Throughout my life, my mother, Jennifer Faith, has been an unwavering source of support and inspiration. Her nurturing spirit and steadfast belief in me encouraged me to pursue excellence and embrace challenges, even when I doubted my own abilities. While I may not have always recognized my potential, her love and guidance have empowered me to achieve goals I once thought were out of reach. I know that I would not be in the fulfilling career I enjoy today or as happy as I am without the strong foundation she provided.
Beverly Burrowes
Masters Certificate in Project Management ’01, School of Business
I want to highlight Emma Lee (Love) Ruffin, my beloved mother, who passed away on February 10. As the head of the family after losing her husband unexpectedly after 14 years of marriage, Mom worked two jobs to maintain the household. I was often tasked to help take care of my three siblings (one with intellectual challenges) to keep our family intact. A favorite memory of Mom was watching her excitement as she became a homeowner after purchasing a house in Washington, D.C., in her early 50s. Mom took pride in homeownership by putting tender loving care into maintaining the property and paying the mortgage off in her 60s before retiring. What a great accomplishment! Mom’s influence on me was profound. She demonstrated resilience, courage and strength to take on the challenge of raising her family by herself and still achieving some of her goals. Mom’s wise counsel was rooted in caring, compassion and common sense. Today, I am a highly educated and successful leader in the federal government. I owe my success largely to Mom. Mom was the first person in my life that I respected, trusted and loved. I appreciate all that she gave to me. My life is forever changed for the better because of Mom!!!
Munyaradzi Petricia Dzimunwe
Student, School of Business
Elizabeth Mubaiwa has always been my major source of hope. She encouraged me to grab the GWSB study opportunity despite several challenges I was facing at the time including the grief of losing a beloved one. When I became a teen mom some 20 years ago after completing my high school course, she encouraged me to be courageous and continue to tertiary education. I did that and at 25 years of age I graduated with a B.A.
Rashid Mehboob
GW Security Officer
My mom is an inspiring lady for me. She is 83 years old and paralyzed in both legs due to an operation and my sister takes care of her. When I was just 16 years old my father and my older brother died in a road accident. This was the turning moment in my life. But my mom was so brave, told me it’s all from God, so focus on your education, tell the truth and respect your elders always. She told me to be honest and true and positive in your life. I graduated from Punjab University and took a very good job in national security. Life doesn’t stop, sometimes it’s up and sometimes it’s down. The top secret of life is never to give up in any condition. Good and bad times come, but not forever. Trust in God and don’t give up. Love you and miss you Mom.
Rhonda Fox
Correspondence & Engagement Secretary, GW Staff Council
One woman who changed my perspective and life was my 11th grade AP English Composition and Literature teacher, Susan Coles. She instilled in me a love for writing and reading. Before her, books were just words in paperback form. My entire year in her class changed how I approach writing and words. The love for books and reading was already there, but she was able to explain how an author's life and perspective can change and also change your perspective. I'm so grateful to her. Because of her, I even wrote a book.
Thank you, Mrs. Coles.
Shirley Branch
Student, Graduate School of Education and Human Development
My mother, Wanda Diane Parsons, has always been my guiding light, shaping my life in ways words can hardly capture. After 22 years of public service helping women and families through their hardest moments, she is stepping into a well-deserved retirement. A Black woman of incredible resilience and grace, her story is one of strength.
As a single mom for much of my childhood, she was my everything. She balanced long work hours with fierce and unconditional love for her two children and always found time to remind me of my potential. My mother did not just talk about the importance of family and community; she lived it. Whether helping a neighbor in need or gathering family for Sunday dinners, my mother showed me how love and connection shape a life. She also lived her belief in people's potential, and that belief shaped my life.
Because of her, I found the courage to pursue my doctorate in educational leadership, inspired by her working towards her bachelor’s degree in her late 60s. My mother's life has been about giving to others. Now, in retirement, I hope she embraces the joy she deserves.