TODAY is International Women’s Day and to celebrate the Berea Mail is taking a trip down memory lane. Over the years we have shared some incredibly inspirational stories of local women who have gone above and beyond to help her fellow man, and women who have challenged our patriarchal society.
In honour of these women, the Berea Mail has compiled a list of some of these wonderful women who have stood out for our journalists. Which one of these stories have inspired you?
Shannon and Nikki Coleman
In a world where crime has become the norm, two local siblings decided that they would not give in to their assailant. When an armed intruder entered the Manor Gardens home of 16-year-old Shannon Coleman and her sister Nikki, he quickly realised that he picked the wrong house.
Armed with only a baseball bat and their fists the siblings quickly chased off the gun-wielding thug.
“I didn’t want them to think they could rule this house, I wasn’t going to let this man think he could win,” she said.
Bulelwa Mbolekwa
As a blind woman, Bulelwa Mbolekwa feels strongly about empowering people with disabilities, especially women. Mbolekwa lost her sight at the age of eight, when cataracts started forming on her eyes.
As the deputy chair of Disabled People SA, and the chairperson of the KZN Society for the Blind her passion is to empower the disabled
“I have met so many challenges in my life, but I have overcome these as I have accepted I can’t change what has happened to me. But I am a person, I am a woman and I am a mother!”
Charlotte Heath
Charlotte Heath, a paraplegic, has against all adds managed to regain mobility and get her life back on track. Charlotte’s nightmare began when she went to the doctor with stomach cramps. Tests were done and Charlotte was diagnosed with Porphyria, a rare disease that doctors knew little about.
When she arrived at St Giles in May 2014 she was immobile with minimal movement in her upper body. She has proven that anything is possible through sheer determination.
Karen Logam
GLENWOOD filmmaker, Karen Logan, has left her mark on the industry. This after years of video production and documentary filmmaking in London. Last year the Durban Girls’ College old girl was responsible for the video projections for JOMBA!, KZN’s most popular dance experience.
“As a woman it is hard to make time for yourself and prioritise your creative endeavours, but I feel it’s important for my son to see that I’m focused on my career as well. Particularly for boys to grow up with seeing strength and meaningful work come from their moms,” she said.
