Our first Woman of the Week of this new season is Tenbit Mitiku, nominated for the selflessness with which she helps in all sorts of roles around her parish. You see her here as a young girl in Ethiopia and at her church home in Massachusetts. We asked her to tell you about herself.
“I work at a local university in the student affairs department. Before that, I was in development in higher education and non-profit organizations. I also enjoy volunteering my time helping others, whether visiting homes for the elderly, teaching women to use computers, or attending a meeting on homelessness issues. Nothing gives me more joy than helping those in need, making someone smile, or offering hope.
“The Orthodox faith is an integral part of my family and community. As a child, my great-grandmother was the one who took me to our neighborhood parish every Sunday. I did not understand but was always excited to put my favorite white church dress with blue geometrical patterns on the hems. We arrived around 5 am for matins, followed by divine liturgy. Everyone around me was dressed in a traditional white garment but barefoot. Some had their favorite prayer books and followed the priests with the readings. A priest circled three times with sweet-smelling incense, and worshipers actively engaged in every process throughout the service.
“I grew up watching my great-grandmother and grandfather helping those in the community regardless of religion, ethnicity, or creed. I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in a close-knit yet large family surrounded by great aunts, uncles, and loving neighbors. As a child, I enjoyed interacting with older people than peers my age, which remains true today.
“My biggest inspiration is what I witnessed my grandfather do when I was five. Every weekend, my grandfather took me places both educational and recreational. One Saturday afternoon, we were walking home from the zoo, and I saw a man approaching us. The man could not walk, the limbs on his legs were short, and he used both hands to move. He had wrapped rubber around his hands to help him as he dragged his body across the concrete road. My grandfather exclaimed, ‘Shamsaudeen! How good to see you!’ And the man was equally excited to see my grandfather ‘Doctor Mitiku!’ My grandfather knelt, hugged Shamsaudeen, and gave him several kisses across the cheeks as customary in Ethiopian culture. He asked him how he was doing, about his family and where he was going. The man answered, ‘To buy food for my children.’
“Several questions and emotions were going through my mind. Why did my grandfather, the highly respected person, lower himself to the level of this strange-looking and dirty man? I was disgusted! After exchanging their warm goodbyes, I asked my grandfather why he acted the way he did. My grandfather answered, ‘See, there is no difference between Shamsaudeen and me. He is a man just like me. And we should treat everyone with dignity no matter who they are or what they look like.’ I tried to understand that moment for many years but could not make sense. Yet, I believed it and kept it the most valuable advice anyone could ever give me.
“The liturgical language in Ethiopia is Geez, ancient and only dedicated to divine services. While I couldn’t understand a single word or the meaning of going to church, I felt complete joy. The form of worship I followed then was staring at the colorful icons depicted on the walls and the dome. Unlike the icons I see in churches here in the US, they had exaggerated expressions of the saints with colorful garments. Each icon had a description of what was taking place. I read them all over and again each Sunday. Today, I go to church to find balance in my life and remain conscious of the divine energy.”
Axia!
Tenbit Mitiku is our Woman of the Week, nominated for the selflessness with which she approaches service to her parish. When she arrived in the United States, she ended up studying sociology, with the intention of learning how things around her actually functioned, and ultimately graduated with a degree in international relations with a focus on economics. You see her here in her office at her work place and in the parish kitchen at her church. We asked her to tell you more:
“Sixteen years ago, I arrived in Boston with my mother and siblings. Immediately, I noticed the difference between where I grew up and here–the lack of social interaction, welcoming strangers, or simply acknowledging the person sitting next to you. I loved the work culture and the freedom to travel from one place to another. I took two low-paying jobs to sustain myself. After a year, I decided something had to change. I put myself in a rigorous year-long program in Florida to study audio technology. Being in a completely different environment alone was challenging, especially learning in a male-dominated industry. I was one of the only four women who successfully finished the program. Back in Boston, I worked in music studios and volunteered in documentary film productions. Throughout my journey, I felt isolated, but I didn’t know why. I have a loving family and a faith I depend on, yet in places I went, I could not see myself fitting in.
“Not all knowledge is acquired in schools but also through lived experiences. I discovered that by ‘accident’ while I was taking sociology courses. It was also revealed to me why I was experiencing isolation. There may be several reasons– cultural shock, not knowing what to expect, or a lack of understanding of historical facts about my birthplace and here. But also, I kept questioning why the two worlds were vastly different from each other. Why does the place I was born sound so elusive to most Americans I encounter? Why am I perceived in a certain way? The more I got answers to these questions, the easier it became to understand the larger contexts.
“My studies in international affairs and global studies made me realize the complex issues of global economics and politics that impact every one of us within invisible structures. The nature of dominance and superiority affects the social fabrics of every part of the world. The violence of war and greed and why nations manifest themselves in a certain way on the global stage become apparent. The tactics or deceits governments use to manipulate weak states; the role of international institutions and the media in these processes are astonishing. I specifically focused on economic structures and the imposed subjugation on the Global South. I spent countless days and nights researching policies that work better in some parts of the world, but in the end, I concluded there will always be injustice. That does not mean I am fully a pessimist, but it takes diligence and understanding of many influential individuals and institutions collectively to make a difference.
“My global views on policies shaped my thought analysis, including developing a political perspective without labels. Through my lived experience and education, I noticed that I despise oppression. No matter the political spectrum one follows, each side abuses its power. To seek dominance requires seeing and treating other groups as less competent or inferior– a never-ending cycle. Unfortunately, the act of prejudice extends itself to the individual level. In places I go, I encounter people both ignorant and prejudiced. It still shocks me some of the questions and comments I receive because of where I come from. I also have met some of the most amazing people who are respectful, kind, and sincerely interested in getting to know me for who I am.
“My faith gives me peace. The church gives me hope and makes me feel at home and balanced in my worldly understanding and spiritual growth. When I experience prejudice, I look inward and remember that the Holy Spirit is there to comfort me. Prayers and meditation are also important to me to feel the goodness of God amid unfairness. I do not see both worlds as separate but necessary parts of my being as a Christian and dweller of this world. The act of humility and being at the service of others makes me fully human.”
As always, we asked our Woman of the Week, Tenbit Mitiku, about her morning routine:
“I wake up at 5 am (usually before the alarm goes off). My cat, Ms. Fiona, likes to cuddle a few minutes before I get up. I will give Fiona her breakfast and medication. Then I will light a candle and say a morning prayer. 5:45 am, I will do a few exercises for muscle relaxation to build energy. At 6 am, I start brewing coffee. I enjoy my coffee with unsweetened almond or oat milk. I am not a big breakfast person, especially early in the morning. At 6:30 am, I check to see if I have everything I need to take to work; leave enough food and water for Fiona for the day. At 6:55, I will get out of the house to catch the 7 am bus. At 7:15 am, I will hop on another bus and travel for 30 minutes. 7:50 am, I will arrive on the quiet campus and enter my office.
“Acknowledgement: I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to tell my story.”
Thank you, Tenbit!
