by Deborah Reed
“The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.”
The words, spoken by James E. Faust in 2004, were proven true by Women’s City Club 2026 Impact Award winners Jalia Gikundiro and Batula Mohamed. When the Union High School juniors were asked to identify who had inspired and impacted their lives the most, both answered without hesitation: their mothers.
“We came here in 2014 as immigrants from Rwanda,” said Jalia. “I was six when I came here, and growing up, I’d see her taking care of us, going to work, coming home, making a lot of sacrifices for us so we can have a better education and live comfortably.
“She's very loving even though she doesn't get enough time to spend with us, but we could see it through her actions, and what she does around the house and how she treats other people in her community.”
Jalia chose to honor her mother through a portrait painted in neutral tones. The chromatic colors, Jalia said, better helped portray her mother’s soft and peaceful smile.
Batula’s portrait of her mother, titled “Mother in Lilies,” was created with colored pencils, a variety of specialty markers, and a host of bright colors. “I felt like it represented my mom as a beautiful lily,” said Batula. “My figure, [she’s] like someone to look up to while I’m the little sprout. “I just felt like she was really the person who inspired me to be my best, always working, always trying to go for the best, even if it seems difficult. Because sometimes we need to put the effort in something even if you don’t have much hope.”
Both young women plan to pursue careers in the healthcare field, yet another tribute to the care their mothers showed them. Jalia is currently enrolled in the KCTC nursing program and also plans to explore the role of pharmacy tech. Batula’s journey will include studies in anatomy and a possible career as a pediatrician.
Note: Jalia and Batula, along with Principal Aaron Roussey and Women’s City Club president, Kathy Barnett, were interviewed on our local NPR affiliate on the Shelley Irwin Show. Listen to the interview here.
Batula and her mother
Jalia and her mother
Click for more information on the Impact Award.
