Canadian Women Making a Difference: Kelly Cameron
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are sharing a series of interviews with incredible women who #PressForProgress and are making a difference in Canada and around the world. Check our blog throughout the month of March for new inspiring interviews.
Name: Kelly Cameron
Occupation: Global Worker (Missionary) & Social Worker
Age: 30’s
How she's making a difference: Pursuing freedom and dignity for survivors of sex trafficking.
1) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a child of God, a daughter, a sister, a friend and a global citizen.
2) What unique gifts do you bring to the world?
The tenacity to pursue God sized dreams; a "pegged-out” internal justice meter; a passion to see all women and girls living life to the full; and an amateur cake artist.
3) How are you making a difference right now?
Currently, I am birthing a dream God planted in me years ago. Next month I am moving to Mexico City to help start a culinary training program and social enterprise bakery for women who are survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Our program, SAHL + Uno, is located in the largest red light district in Latin America where estimates of 5000 women and girls are trafficked and exploited daily. You can learn more about this journey on my blog.
4) What motivates you to do what you do?
My motivation comes from my Christian faith, and the compassion that I grew up watching my grandmothers and mother demonstrate.
5) Why are you passionate about the work of IJM? How do you show your support?
I have the distinct privilege of being a 3-time IJM alumna, having served in Washington, DC, Cambodia, and Canada. I’ve been a part of IJM’s work first hand and have seen the importance difference that it makes.
6) What would you like to see happen for women in the future?
I would like equality to be more than an ideal, and actualized for women around the world.
7) If you could have a coffee chat with any woman, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Mother Theresa, she founded a movement of compassion largely lived out by women.
8) What’s your favourite inspiring quote?
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
- Marianne Williamson (Often misattributed to Nelson Mandela)
9) What advice do you have for the women in our audience who want to make a difference in the world?
Take risks and learn to be okay with being uncomfortable. "Making a difference” is highly likely to be found outside your comfort zone.
