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Culturalize at IWCNZ (Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand)
A Gift of Strength: Meeting Dame Valerie Adams
On Tuesday, the 8th of July, I had the profound honor of attending an evening hosted by the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand (IWCNZ). The event was an exclusive session for Muslimah in Auckland to gather in a safe, empowering space and hear from a true icon: Dame Valerie Adams.
As an Olympic gold medalist and world champion shot putter, Dame Valerie is the definition of a wāhine toa (a strong woman/female warrior). But beyond her athletic achievements, it was her personal journey of resilience, discipline, and identity that resonated so deeply with everyone in the room.
Bridging Values: Faith and Perseverance
The evening was grounded in Islamic principles, reflecting on the concept of Ihsan (striving for excellence) and the importance of remaining grounded in one’s purpose. Hearing Dame Valerie speak about her challenges as an ethnic woman was incredibly uplifting.
A Cultural Connection
Through the incredible opportunity provided by IWCNZ, I was able to gift Dame Valerie one of my original Culturalize hijabs in a classic white and black design.
Presenting a piece of my brand to a woman who embodies such immense inner and outer strength was a “full circle” moment for me. It was more than just a gift; it was a connection between her journey and the mission of Culturalize—to celebrate our identity and wear our stories with pride.
Dame Valerie’s story reminded me that while we face unique challenges as ethnic women, we have the power to stay true to our faith while reaching for excellence. This experience has left me feeling deeply inspired and more determined than ever to grow my brand and fulfill the vision I have for this business.
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