7 Inspiring Women to Know from the Republic of Congo

In a country where the political sector is male-dominated, it is always inspiring to see a woman making headway in politics. Arlette Soudan-Nonault is a Congolese journalist and politician. She serves as the Republic of Congo’s Minister of Tourism and Environment. She has also made contributions within the education sector as she is the founder of the private school Institution Saint François d’Assise on the outskirts of Brazzaville.

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Antoinette Sassou Nguesso is the First Lady of the Republic of Congo. She is also the founder of the Congo Assistance Foundation, which was established in 1984 as a non-governmental organisation. This organisation has promoted many social initiatives in the areas of health, development, education and vocational training, and has received international acclaim for its humanitarian efforts.

Shelly Mayanda is not only one of the most talented Congolese fashion bloggers to watch out for but she is now also an entrepreneur. She recently started her own brand of handbags made locally in Congo known as NdoziCongo and it is already doing well commercially. The bags are made by local weaving artists and the project has proven to be a great way to promote employment in the Republic of Congo.

For many Congolese women Daniele Sassou Nguesso is a role model. Founder of La Fondation Sounga, she has contributed to multiple organisations such as Le Petit Samaritain, which aims to provide better educational facilities in the Republic of Congo. Her foundation, of which”Sounga” means “help” in Lingala, was recently inaugurated with the aim of providing financial support for women entrepreneurs in the country. Her foundation has since provided funds for women in multiple entrepreneurial sectors in The Republic of Congo.

Congo is a country filled with culture and diversity, and so it’s always a pleasure to see women that are leading in the preservation of art in Congo. Annie Lebouvier is not only an art fanatic, but she is also the owner of her very own art gallery in Brazzaville. Married to the ambassador of France in the Republic of Congo, she is also the proprietor of the famous An’case gallery in Brazzaville. Her dedication toward encouraging visitors stopping by to contemplate in the beauty of Congolese ancient art is unmatched.

Cindi Descalzi Pereira is a warm-hearted, humble and truly inspirational woman from the Congo. As a Dolce and Gabana model, she is already a public figure. She is also the founder of La Foundation Congo Kitoko. Her organisation focuses on charity work specifically in the Republic of Congo. She has donated to various orphanages through her foundation but the main focus of her foundation is education. She has contributed to funding school fees for many orphaned children and is widely admired by many people.

Sister Brigitte Yengo is a Roman Catholic Congolese nun, and head of ‘Sister Yengo’s Children, inc’, a charitable organisation founded to assist the population of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Republic of Congo. Under the leadership of Sister Brigitte, the organisation raises funds to sustain the operation of the orphanage in Brazzaville, develop programs of self-sufficiency, and procure equipment to help victims of polio, blindness, and other handicaps.