Longtime ambassador receives Iowa Wesleyan Presidential Medal

By Bryce Kelly, Mt. Pleasant News

Dr. Faida Maramuke Mitifu never set out to be an Ambassador to the United States of America. However, after taking her own advice and opening herself up to positive, albeit challenging, experiences, she says her life has been one amazing ride.

An accomplished diplomat with 16 years of experience as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Mitifu has led a career that has fostered better business relationships with the U.S. and the DRC, and challenged her country to nurture stronger education, stabilize women?s rights, and increase economic growth.

A long-time friend of Iowa Wesleyan?s Dr. DeWayne Frazier, the State of Iowa, and the Mt. Pleasant university, Dr. Mitifu was awarded the Iowa Wesleyan University Presidential Medal during Saturday?s Commencement Ceremony for her wide-ranging ambassadorial work, and says the honor was a truly humbling experience.

?I was very surprised when DeWayne told me that this award was going to be given to me,? she said in an interview with the Mt. Pleasant News prior to Saturday?s ceremony. ?It has been my honor to serve as an ambassador for my country.?

During her tenure as an ambassador, she was able to play a central role in mobilizing over $3 billion for investments into the DRC. She was also a strong advocate in raising awareness on the plight of the Congolese people and the peace process that eventually led the DRC to the historical 2006 free and transparent election.

In addition to her work as an ambassador, Dr. Mitifu has chaired the African Ambassador?s Council, holds a bachelor?s degree in biochemistry, a master of French studies, and a doctorate in romance languages.

?In the beginning, I was hesitant to take the position when it was first offered to me because I was not a career diplomat. I had been a teacher up until that time,? she said. ?But, my husband has always supported me and reminded me that I had always had a calling and a passion to serve our country and bring about peaceful change. Although this opportunity was unexpected for me, I knew I needed to rise to it and do the best job I could do for my people and our future children.?

Although she regards her time as an ambassador as both the biggest challenge and most rewarding time of her life, Dr. Mitifu says she was always surprised at where her work as an ambassador would take her ? specifically when it took her to the State of Iowa via an invite by Sen. Chuck Grassley.

?Sen. Grassley graciously invited me and several other ambassadors to tour Iowa and learn from Iowans about how to invest in agriculture and grow an economy,? she explained, saying she has returned to Iowa several times to learn more about the state. ?I remember, after that first tour, my country purchased close to 2,000 John Deere tractors from dealers around the world, and I used Iowa as an example of how investing in agriculture can further an economy and a population.?

Dr. Mitifu further explained that the people of Iowa have since been held in very high esteem by her as she cited their graciousness, hospitality, hardworking-nature and intelligence as being strong assets to her during her time in office.

Since her time as an ambassador has officially ended, Mitifu says the experiences she is now left with have changed her forever and pushed her to continue to be an advocate for positive change. Today, Mitifu still uses her fluency in various languages to teach and publicly speak on issues of diplomacy, economic stability, women?s rights and the importance of education. During her recent visit to Iowa Wesleyan, Mitifu says she hoped to impart to students that there is no limit to what they can achieve in life if they continue to apply themselves to hard work and helping others.

With regard to women specifically, she encouraged them to stay active in lifelong learning. Mitifu also encouraged women to embrace their femininity and their differences from men, saying both men and women have different but equally important perspectives and ideas to offer the world.

?I believe in the power of women. I truly do. Women don?t have to act like men to be efficient in the world. Embrace your womanhood and you can really do wonders in your life,? she said. ?We all, men and women, are important. We all are called to make the world a better place wherever we are for our generation and for the generations to come.?