Fabiola Benitez

Fabiola Benitez

Age: 32

Where you are from: I am from Canada

Where you live: Guangzhou, China

This is who I am in the world….

When I reflect on who I am in the world, I immediately think of- I am a woman, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend. I am Canadian, with Salvadorean roots as my parents came as refugees to Canada to give me, and my brothers a better chance at life. I identify as a global citizen, as I have lived in 4 different countries, married a Polish guy while studying in France, and am now living in China for the past 10 years. I am an organizer of people and social activities as I have been running a social enterprise co-founded with my best friend in south China called, Global Friendship.

This is the story that I want rewritten for women…..

The story I want rewritten for women is the one where we can be taught at a young age that women too, can become fierce leaders in any profession that they choose. I must acknowledge that growing up in Canada provided me with many privileges compared to other women around the world. Most personally, I grew up comparing the life I had, with the one I could have had if I were to have been born in El Salvador. My parents always instilled in me to be grateful and to never take advantage of the opportunities that came before me. Although I had these privileges, I still had some societal limitations like; being a minority, coming from a lower income household, and being a female. Rarely, did I see women like me in leadership roles, not even as teachers. I believe when we start to give more and more opportunities for women from diverse backgrounds to enter politics, be educators, doctors, business leaders, community organizers, etc. the story of women will be rewritten. When this occurs the story of the world WILL BE rewritten. 

3. This is the story that I next want to write for myself….

The story that I next want to write for myself is to continue growing as a person and as a woman. I want to be a forever student of life, and embrace all the beauty that this world has to offer. I believe in meaningful connections, and being able to inspire one another to make positive impacts in our world. I don’t ever want to stop living a fulfilled life, with the people and things that matter the most. The way I envision the next chapter in my life is one of gratitude, peace and love. 

I will continue the journey that I have embraced as a community organizer and leader. I will continue working with people who believe in building together to bring about the positive changes that are needed in our world.