My mother grew up in the 1950’s during a difficult time. Her mother had passed away at a young age, and being the 5th of 12 children, raised by her father and grandmother in Africa, my mother had to work twice as hard to get the bare necessities. Being of East Indian decent, my mother was not allowed the same freedoms as we have today, living in Canada. She had to fight for the right to education. She had to ask for things which we take for granted.

I remember the amazing story my mother told me about asking my grandfather if she could become educated. In those days, women did not ask for such things. With her father’s permission, she was able to get an education. Growing up, this message of never taking education for granted was imbedded in me. My mother was very adamant that living in a society where access and opportunities were readily available to us, it was an injustice to not take advantage of those opportunities.

We came to Canada when I was 2 years old, and my sister was 5. My mother took four buses to get to work. The first thing she did after coming to Canada was register for free English classes. She not only wanted to assimilate into this society, she wanted to contribute to it.

She took advantage of all the opportunities that Canada had to offer. She enrolled in courses and seminars, and even encouraged my sister and I to take part in social activities, school plays, music classes etc. She taught us how to be well-rounded people. She really exposed us to the educational, social, and spiritual aspects of life.

In a time and place where it was difficult for women to be independent and strong, my mother not only survived, she thrived. Her strength and determination makes me believe that all mothers should be like her.

I owe many things to my mother. She has taught me discipline, strength, respect and above all, love. I am indebted to her for being able to think, speak and act freely, for being the independent woman I am today.

I am also indebted to her for my freedom. I have the freedom to be whoever I want to be, to move freely from place to place with no fear. Traveling to all the countries that I have, I have come to realize and appreciate how much she sacrificed for my betterment. She moved to Canada to give our family a better life. She not only understood the importance of education, she set the example herself by becoming educated. At the age of 50, my mother decided to do her Masters. It was yet another eye-opening moment for me. Now, at the age of 58, her message continues to be consistent - that you can do anything that you put your mind to!