2017 Mary Burlie Award Winner – Meheret Worku

Ms. Worku is a teacher with Edmonton Public School Board, she hold 2 degrees. As a teacher she engages & advocates for families & their children so that their voices are heard & their needs met. Ms.Workhu has extensive background which intersects teaching, community development, social investment, non- profit & municipal leadership and she has been a promoter for individuals, groups, communities for years. Ms. Worku has sat on a number of boards & is an active member/volunteer for initiatives such as Out of School Time Program, Mentorship for African Youth Projects, Women Conversation Cafes, Women Initiative at the Africa Center of Edmonton.

Ms. Workhu has been active with Women’s Advocacy Voice by the city of Edmonton. She has countless hours of work & roles with the Ethopian Canadians Community Association of Edmonton. Along with her husband they started the “Eye of the Horn Project which focused on helping children stay in school. The program is now called SEEDS of Alberta & has expanded to work with 80 families in Ethiopia.

Meheret has worked deliberately to include communities of various linguistic, cultural and religious backgrounds, using her expertise to create caring partnerships. She has nurtured relationships across communities, & has helped immensely to strengthen the social connections that are essential to sustain dynamic neighborhoods and resilient communities.