Celebrating Ethiopian Women is a synoptic biographical series dedicated to featuring Ethiopian women, who, with their extraordinary efforts and achievements, have contributed much to their society across all ranges of occupations.
While there are many influential women in Ethiopia who have broken through barriers, dedicated themselves to bring about change and made remarkable contributions in their fields, their stories are not well told. But there are women, who have challenged the existing status quo, stepped forward for the benefit of their society and became emblems of courage and tenacity.
This month, we take this opportunity to present to you series of the untold stories of Ethiopian women and their inspiring stories of success and achievement. We have selected women who live in Ethiopia and abroad engaging in a wide range of fields such as international diplomacy, business, academics, activism, philanthropy, politics, sports, arts and entertainment.
In this first round, we present to you a fascinating story of Africa’s long-serving diplomat, who has served her country for over half a century- Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis, dubbed ‘the encyclopedia of African affairs’.
Ambassador Konjit lived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with her family until she moved to London, UK with her older sister to join the London University College and get her degree in International Relations in 1954. Fascinated by international issues and the work of the UN, she has always wanted to see how the UN functions and was enthusiastic to work in the organization but didn’t know how to join. It was until she got a tip of advice from a friend who used to work at the Ethiopian Embassy in London that she could have a chance to work in the UN if she can work in the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and get assigned to the New York Mission. Without hesitation, she accepted the advice and went back to Addis Ababa to apply for a job in the Ministry.
However, the response of the senior officer at the then Ministry of Education, who was in charge of assigning jobs for returnee Ethiopians from abroad, was not as welcoming as she expected. He gave her an appalling response saying “this is not a job for women”. However she never gave up. She struggled to persuade him regardless of his continuous rejections until finally there was no other option than to offer her the job… and it was at this junction, that her journey begun.
Ambassador Konit Sinegiorgis started her career in 1962, a year before the establishment of the Organization of the African Unity (OAU). After joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Konjit has held numerous positions both in Addis Ababa and overseas for 53 years. In the early days of her career, Ambassador Konjit served as an officer in charge of decolonization Affairs in the Ethiopian Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. She had played a significant role in strengthening the African Union while holding positions in the AU, UN, serving as Ambassador overseas in Austria, Egypt, Israel, Canada, Mexico (non-resident) and serving in different positions starting from third secretary to permanent representative in missions to New York, Vienna and Geneva. Later in 2009, she became Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the OAU, and eventually to the AU and UNECA, and contributed her share in the transformation of OAU to the AU.
As the longest serving diplomat, Ambassador Konjit not only has served her country during three governments since the time of Emperor Hailesilassie I, she has also climbed the ladder of her profession despite all the obstacles. She has poured her heart and soul for her work and attained the zenith where any diplomat could aspire for.
Ambassador Konjit received her BA Degree in International Affairs from University College London in 1954 and is a receiver of the Carnegie Fellowship at the Colombia University New York in 1963. She has also received an honorary degree from Addis Ababa University in 2016 for her contribution in the diplomatic arena. Ambassador Konjit is an inspiration for many of the courageous and strong female diplomats who come after her as she paved the way for those in the profession today.
In her last speech during a farewell bid to her by the African Union in November 2015, Ambassador Konjit Said “My career has been my life and I sacrificed everything for it… there is no greater honor than serving one’s country to the fullest!”.
