Kawther Elmi, Park Ranger, National Park Service, Washington, DC

Kawther Elmi was born in Ethiopia, but was raised in Somalia. She was granted political asylum to live in the United States in 1989. The pursuit of freedom and education were the primary motivating factors behind Ms. Elmi’s decision to leave East Africa and make a new life for herself in America. Since the beginning of her journey, she has received a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and a Master of Fine Arts from the State University of New York in Albany, NY. Ms. Elmi began working with the National Park Service in 2000 and through her work as a Park Ranger at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, Ms. Elmi regularly speaks to visitors about Abraham Lincoln’s contributions to the United States. She credits him for the freedoms and opportunities she has been afforded and are offered to all those who are new to the United States. She says it is her hope that one day the world will adopt Lincoln’s wisdom so everyone will have the freedom and opportunities she has found in America.

Ms. Elmi has volunteered with Catholic Charities to assist refugee families settle in the United States and will continue her volunteer work to help improve the lives of those around her.