https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/1725676325-eaa579125ab141ed322600650a58669da4e89eeb12eced02a0ce0e65a7916363-d
Mary Maker
Mary Maker
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Mary Maker's Story

About Mary

South Sudanese refugee Mary Maker is a refugee education activist working with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an actor, a fashion lover, and a writer. After fleeing her war-torn country as a child, she found security and hope in attending school in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. She has since become a teacher of young refugees in her community and sees education as an essential tool for rebuilding lives and empowering a generation of girls who are too often denied entrance into the classroom. Mary is currently pursuing Theater as part of the MasterCard Foundation scholarship program at St. Olaf College Minnesota.

Mary's Journey

In 2018, Mary gave an impassioned speech at TEDxKakumaCamp entitled ‘Why I Fight for the Education of Refugee Girls (like me)’. In collaboration with the UNHCR, she has advocated on behalf of refugees on multiple global platforms, including Sky News and ABC News. Mary has spoken at international events, including Global GoalsCast, and the Girl Up Summit, and supported the launch of UNHCR’s annual Education Report. This year, Mary wrote the educational report alongside Lewis Hamilton. She has been featured in social media films and briefings outlining the importance of education. By highlighting her own personal story, she points out the resilience, talents, and ambitions of the forcibly displaced. She is playing an active role in response to the global refugee crisis and the global coronavirus pandemic.

Non Profit Work

In 2021- Mary Started a non-profit, Elimisha Kakuma, a Swahili word for Educate Kakuma. Within one year, Mary and her team have been able to partner with Virginia Tech, UNHCR, and Duolingo, from where Elimisha was awarded Best of Student Advocacy. In 2023, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR.


In her spare time, Mary enjoys creating new plays, devising new stories, and researching ancient stories on the African continent.

Prior Speaking Engagements

  1. TED Talk; Speaker | Nairobi, Kenya 2018
  2. Meredith College; Featured Speaker | North Carolina, 2019
  3. UN Aids; Keynote Speaker | Geneva, Sui 2019
  4. ABC News; Guest | TV, 2020
  5. 2020 Leadership Summit; Speaker | Online 2020
  6. Liza Koshy; Guest | Online 2020
  7. Peace One Day; Speaker | Online, 2020
  8. Al Jazeera World Refugee Day; Guest | Online 2021
  9. Al Jazeera World Refugee Day; Guest | Online 2022
  10. UNHCR FC Barcelona Partnership; Guest Speaker | New York, NY 2022
  11. Duolingo We Rise Together Awards; Featured Speaker | Pittsburg, PA 2022
  12. Duolingo We Rise Together Awards; Keynote Speaker | Pittsburg, PA 2023
  13. Green Fashion Awards; Speaker | Los Angeles, CA 2023
  14. UN High Political Forum; Lead Discussant | New York, NY 2023
  15. UN General Assembly; SDG4 (Education); Speaker | New York, NY 2023
  16. Virginia Tech Displacement Speaker Series | Blacksburg, VA 2023
  17. TEDx Talk @ St. Olaf College; Speaker | Northfield, MN 2023
  18. PA Refugee Summit; Keynote Speaker | Philadelphia, PA 2023
  19. Seramo Institute | Online 2022, 2023
  20. PIE Live; Keynote Speaker | Boston, MA 2023
  21. Global Washington’s Annual Conference; Keynote Speaker | Seattle, WA 2023
  22. Duolingo; Panelist | February 2024
  23. World Bank Fragility Forum | February 2024
  24. Green Fashion Awards | March 2024
  25. St. Olaf - Tailor Center | April 2024
  26. Advocacy Day - Disney Pixar | May 2024
  27. US Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) | May 2024
  28. Refugee Education Summit - Enola, PA | May 2024
  29. NAFSA; Keynote Speaker | June 2024
  30. Duolingo We Rise Together Awards | June 2024
  31. Voice of America | June 2024
  32. Shrewsbury Public Schools | June 2024
  33. Makutano - New Deal for Congo; Moderator | September 2024
  34. UNGA Youth Day | September 2024
  35. UNC Global Education Symposium | October 2024
  36. Moreland Township | October 2024
  37. The PIE Live North America, Keynote Speaker | November 2024
  38. Virginia Tech International Education Week, Keynote Speaker | November 2024
  39. Fordham Law Clinic | November 2024
  40. Ripples of Change Exhibition | December 2024
  41. Eden Prairie Central Middle School | December 2024
  42. USF Law Clinic | January 2025

Contact Mary

Mary Maker is a dynamic and engaging speaker whose passion for education is contagious. Mary's talks are not just informative; they are transformative experiences that leave audiences motivated and equipped with actionable strategies. Interested in having Mary speak at an upcoming event?

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Mary Maker

New York, NY

Videos

Mary Maker - My Story

Mary Maker makes a passionate plea for refugee education and tells her inspiring story, from being forced to flee South Sudan to becoming a college student in America and founder of Elimisha Kakuma. 

Why I fight for the education of refugee girls (like me) | Mary Maker

After fleeing war-torn South Sudan as a child, Mary Maker found security and hope in the school at Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp. Now a teacher of young refugees herself, she sees education as an essential tool for rebuilding lives -- and empowering a generation of girls who are too often denied entrance into the classroom. "For the child of war, an education can turn their tears of loss into a passion for peace," Maker says.


The Little Things | Mary Maker | TEDxStOlafCollege

The small little things in life end up not being the so little things in life. Mary Makers talks about the power of coming together to give back to our community. She highlights her work at Elimisha Kakuma, a non profit that helps refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp access tertiary education.

A special video message from UNHCR High Profile Supporter Mary Maker

A special video message from UNHCR High Profile Supporter Mary Maker during the Peace One Day Live Global Digital Experience.

Photos

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