WINNIPEG, MB –TONIGHT, The University of Winnipeg alum Ms. Tolu Ilelaboye will be recognized at the City of Winnipeg’s Citizen Equity Committee 2012 Youth Role Model Award Dinner. Ilelaboye will receive the Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros Award for Courage. This award seeks out individuals who have overcome obstacles through hard work and perseverance.
Ilelaboye reports that growing up, she was told that she had to work twice as hard as her peers because she was black and female. “Every day it seemed I was discovering something new about myself or, rather, that society was pointing out what was different about me,” Ilelaboye says of her life growing up in Fort Richmond, Winnipeg.
Ilelaboye was diagnosed with lupus soon after her high school graduation. Ilelaboye attended UWinnipeg and played on the Wesmen team until she had to give up her spot due to her health concerns. She continues to battle her lupus, striving to overcome the emotional and physical stress that comes with a chronic illness. This past October 2011, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Rhetoric Communications and French.
Despite her illness, Ilelaboye continues to make a difference in her community. “I wanted to embody the change I wanted to see”, she said. Ilelaboye volunteers within the African community through Folklorama and the Nigerian Association of Manitoba. She also works with youth via the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg and the Y.M.C.A-Y.W.C.A.
“I am female and black and live with lupus,” she said. ‘’Being ‘rich with minorities’ has helped me grow into the person I am today.”
About the Rosalinda Natividad-Cantiveros Courage Award
Rosalinda Natividad-Cantiveros was a long serving member of the CEC as well as an educator, journalist, author, community leader and volunteer. She was a passionate volunteer involved with countless organizations. Natividad-Cantiveros passed away in 2008 after her battle with cancer. Her legacy continues with a Citizen Equity Committee award named after her in recognition of her courage.
Citizen Equity Committee 2012 Youth Role Model Award Dinner
Friday, May 11, 2012, at 7:00 pm, Canad Inns, 1824 Pembina Hwy
Tickets are $30, To purchase tickets or a table please call Kwabena at 986.4167 or Florence 330.7624
