Wendy Oduor, Miss Kenya USA and a Saint Mary’s alumna from the class of 2014, will present the keynote address Wednesday night at Student Diversity Board’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. event, the College announced in a media release Monday.
Oduor is a motivational speaker with the mission of educating audiences on mental health issues. She will address her personal journey from Saint Mary’s to becoming Miss Kenya USA, as well as her experiences in fashion and design, according to the release.
“Wendy draws inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr. to focus on making positive changes,” the release said.
Oduor will discuss her mission of finding “purpose past passion,” the release said. She was inspired to share her life with audiences and advocate for mental health awareness after finding meaning in her brother’s suicide.
According to Oduor’s biography on the Miss Kenya USA website, she lost her brother in 2014, the same year she graduated from the College.
“Wendy eventually understood that pain can birth purpose when allowed,” the website said. “This helped Wendy to begin sharing about her experience as a guest speaker at social events and utilizing social media to create awareness and a safe space where people break their silence and are encouraged to seek professional help.”
Oduor hosts weekly Mental Health Monday live sessions on Instagram, reaching more than 100 people from her account, and has made it her personal mission to increase mental health awareness in Kenya, according to the website.
Oduor will speak at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Rice Commons.
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