Willma Gendb
Height: 5’11
Hometown: Kitchener, ON
Languages: English, French, Arabic
Occupation: Student (St. Louis’ Hairstyling and Barber program)
Willma Gendb, was born in Khartoum Sudan. She is a prominent activist and a proud Canadian who hopes to be a reminder that failure is not an option, but another steppingstone to greatness. She focused her studies on Human Resources and has plans to pursue a master’s degree in developmental psychology. Currently, Willma is an apprentice hairstylist at First Choice Hair Cutters, and is working towards obtaining her cosmetology license. She hopes to one day have her own hair and nail salon.
In addition to Willma’s ongoing volunteerism, has led her to launch ther campaign, #IamWillow, which aims to recognize, educate, empower, and promote women’s excellence. The campaign’s goal is to recognize women in businesses who make impressive and substantial contributions both locally and to the global economy. Moreover, Willma is a published international model, actress and the ambassador for The DNA Brand. She has collaborated with reputable fashion designers like Victoria Beckham, Greta Constantine, Joseph Tassoni, Rita Vinieris, Shelli Oh, Rebekah Price and more. She can be seen acting role in The Boys Tv Show, and even was featured in magazines like Vogue Vanity fair, L’Officiel in Australia, and ad campaigns like Lubriderm, Canada Goose, and Mackage.
Furthermore, Willma, is the CEO & Founder of a not-for-profit organization called The Willmagendb Foundation. She believes that even the smallest amount of hope to someone who desperate need it can make the greatest impact in one’s life. The not-for-profit organization donates all its proceeds to charity and is committed to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, women, and men in terms of providing education, clothing, shelter, food, and clean water.
Willma will continue to rise to be a message of hope, and empowerment to boys and girls all over the world, that they too can achieve their dreams. She is also the Founder of Willmagendb Cosmetic. A makeup brand that is made from clean ingredient’s, affordable, is Hypo-Allergenic, cruelty free, halal certified, proudly made in Canada, and caters to all ethnicity, regardless of skin tone, age, and gender. The birth of Willmagendb Cosmetic was intended to break the stigma surrounding the beauty standards and to close the gap between the models in the magazines and the rest of the world who doesn’t meet the beauty standard.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
I am interested in health and fitness. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking with my family and friends, and providing cooking advice and tips on nutritional meal plan on my YouTube channel. In addition to healthy eating, I really enjoy keeping myself active by exercising, swimming, running, and conducting in person and online fitness tutorials and workshops on my YouTube channel. Moreover, I enjoy traveling with my family and friends, working on my family business, volunteering in my community, writing, singing and painting. Additionally, I enjoy raising awareness, advocating on important issues like mental health, the Black Lives Matter movement, women’s rights issues, affordable education, quality health Care, and raising funds to support my community. I hope to accomplish this goal by staying true to myself, to my supporters, and staying focus on my goals.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for music, dance, art, acting, and photography. I was fortunate to have received so much support and encouragement from my family, friends, and coaches. When I was ten years old, I to received private lessons in art, music and dance. I have also received training in vocal lessons and playing musical instrument like the piano, guitar, and the violin. Furthermore, when I was in high school, I’ve had the opportunity to participated in art class, where I was lucky enough to receive training in art sculpting, sketching, and painting. Other training that I have acquired over the years includes culinary arts, hairstyling, makeup application, and photography. Moreover, I have successfully completed training in food handling, smart serve, driving school, WHMIS, emergency first aid, and CPR.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
Throughout my academic career, I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to participate in many extracurricular activities and with the support and encouragement of my friends, coaches, and family, I was able to excel in the cross-country team, basketball, soccer, volleyball, badminton, and track and field team. In addition to sports, I’ve also had a chance to participated in my school’s dance team. Currently, I am combining my athletic abilities and creative side to conduct in person and online yoga and fitness class, and a beginner’s dance class geared to promote healthy minds and healthy bodys on my YouTube channel.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
I have the most wonderful grandmother. I consider myself to be extremely lucky to still have my grandma living today. She has always been my biggest supporter, and she has never let me down. My grandmother loves me very much and I love her more than anything in the world. She has inspired me to be the best version of myself, to not only strive to meet my goals but to accomplish them with humility. My grandma makes me very proud of who I am, and where I come from. She is the most inspiring women to me, because despite all the stigma and barriers facing women in South Sudan, she was able to successfully complete her university and became a doctor working in the frontline assisting people in need and risking her own personal health to keep the economy and the rest of my family safe. In addition to giving back to the community, my grandmother is a huge advocate for women’s rights, and has even organized event geared to helping women become financially independent so they can help their communities grow economically. For this reason and many more, grandmother is the most influential women in my life. She is the true definition of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
I am proud of my personal journey because through my journey I have been able to inspire and empower young people in my community to reach their full potential and to also be an active member in the society. With the help of the Rossini Girls Group Home and Children’s Aid Society, I was able to secure my own apartment at the age of sixteen and a full-time employment at Adao Essence hair salon, and an international modeling career in Toronto, Ontario. Despite all the odds that were put against me, I was still able to rise while being my true and authentic self. Additionally, my second proudest personal accomplishment, was getting accepted into George Brown College to further my studies. Being accepted into college proved to me that through hard work, determination, and discipline, one can accomplish anything that they set their mind to.
Moreover, I spoke to 240 students at the St. Clair Center for the Arts. This opportunity allowed me to empower students to utilizing the tools and resources accessible to them to create a more sustainable life, to work hard towards achieving their dreams and to be the best version of themselves. I am also proud to have been featured in magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. I am also very proud to say that I’ve worked with fashion designer like Victoria Beckham, Rita Vinieris, L’MOMO, Greta Constantine and more. I am also very proud of my work in The Boys tv show and all my collaborations with Lubriderm, Mackage, and the Canada Goose campaign. I am very proud of all my personal accomplishments because they made me who I am today. This is a personal achievement to me because when I was growing up, I didn’t see a lot of models that looked like me
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
I was born in Khartoum Sudan; a war-torn country. The most interesting thing that has happened to me was moving to Canada. This was especially different and interesting because it was my first time ever seeing snow and experiencing the beautiful winter scenery and wildlife of Canada. I would’ve never had the opportunities I have today if my mom did not make the brave decision to move here. I love our food, our music, our culture and the people that live here. I am very grateful that Canada took me in and gave me a home. Moveover, the one thing that sets me apart from others is that my mother is from a tribe called Shilluk and my father is from the Lotuko tribe. In my culture, “traditionally,” I will have four wedding ceremonies, and my bride price will include money, cows, sheep, and goats when I get married. To my friends, this may be interesting because their bride price does not usually include farm animals. Although, this practice may be funny to some, to my parents, it symbolizes commitment from the groom, and it upholds my tradition to the highest standard, while honouring my parents at the same time.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to lead a career that is meaningful. One that will make me feel fulfilled while creating a positive impact in people’s lives. At this time, I am very grateful for my modeling career because it has allowed me to share my own personal stories to inspire others to also strive to reach their full potential and to connect to people all over the world in a more personal and professional level. Moreover, I am the founder of my own cosmetic brand and my own not-for-profit organization. My not -for-profit organization donates all its proceeds to charity and is committed to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, women, and men in terms of providing education, clothing, shelter, food, and clean water. As Miss Universe Canada, I hope to partner with the government of South Sudan to build a group home and a school for people in need and for the voiceless. With the continued love and support of my family, friends, and community, I believe that if I keep working hard and trusting in my journey that I will be able to accomplish all my goal over time.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
The first thing that comes to my mind is becoming Miss Universe. This opportunity is more than just a title and a crown; it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that provides women the opportunity to make their dreams come true. The first step in following my dreams and accomplishing this goal, is to believe that they can be reached. My whole purpose for competing in this pageant is to take control of my future and to work towards my goals. My intention is to inspire people around the world that their dreams can become their reality too. I hope to continue utilizing the power of my voice, to break down stereotypes and barriers affecting children and women around the world today.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born in Omdurman Maternity Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. I was raised by two Christian parents with a humble beginning. My father is from the Latuko tribe, and my mother is from the Shilluk ancestry. The first few years of my childhood was split between living with my mother’s side of the family in North Sudan, and living in Egypt Cairo, where I was enrolled in school full time with my brother. At home, we spoke my parent’s native language and at school we learned Arabic, English, and French. When I was nine years old, when my family and I moved to Canada, in Windsor, Ontario. Shortly after my two younger sisters were born, my family moved to Kitchener, Ontario where they now reside.
I love my parents, and my grandparents. I have the outmost love and respect for them. Due to their struggles and sacrifices that they have endured and conquered, I consider myself to be extremely privileged to have the best opportunity for academic advancement, the ability to participate in many extracurricular activities, to have so many friends, and to have grown up in a safe home filled with unconditional love and support.
My goal now is to do my best to make my mom and my grandmother as proud of me as I am of them.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
The most interesting or unusual job that comes to my mind would be working as an international model and actress. As a model, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous fashion designers like Victoria Beckham, Rita Vinieris, and Rebekah Price. In addition to working with reputable fashion designers, I have also been published in high end magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. This opportunity has also opened many doors for me, and one of them being an acting scene in The Boys tv show and advertising campaign for Nudestix, Lubriderm, Mackage, and the Canada Goose.
Modelling has provided me with the opportunity to connect with people all over the world, and the advantage of being at the forefront of the fashion and beauty industry setting the latest fashion trend and streetwear styles while traveling and working with creative and talented team. Modeling is an unusual job because I can model for the rest of my life, or adventure into becoming a model/talent agent, or even the chance to instruct my own modeling, and talent courses geared to giving young girls and boys more confidence and an opportunity to advance in their modelling Carrer as well. I worked very hard and I am very grateful that I have this opportunity.
List any volunteering you have done.
Aside from raising awareness, I’ve previously volunteered at a senior’s retirement home. My responsibilities included assisting seniors to and from the dining room, cutting food and at times feeding the residents at mealtime, distributing beverages to seniors, and proving encouragement through conversations and listener. This experience has allowed me to gain a new perspective on life, opportunities for strengthening my work experience, and the ability to enhance the lives of senior residents, while building friendships with the residents, other volunteers, and the staff. Other volunteering opportunities that I have had in the pass are as follows:
- Sick Kids Foundation
- Breast Cancer Society of Canada
- SOS Children’s Villages
- Old Sandwich Towne Festival
- Operation Smile
What is your most unusual talent?
I think the most unusual talent that I have is my ability to read upside down, backwards and from left to right. I discovered this ability while reading bedtime stories to my younger sisters. I find this talent to be extremely rewarding because it has improved my attention span, it helped to improve my memory lost, problem solving skills, and it also reduces my chances of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s while boosting my cognitive function. Currently, I find myself passing time by exercising my brain through various brain training games like card games, crossword puzzles, and suduko.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
Poverty does not discriminate against age or gender. This is why I believe it is our responsibility to humanity to work together to end poverty. Our responsibility is not only to help people in need survive but to also thrive in the economy. With that being said, I one of the most interesting places that I have been to this summer, is the Fred Victor’s women shelter located in Toronto, Ontario. The Fred Victor Shelter is a charitable organization dedicated to assisting people experiencing homelessness and financial insecurity by providing access to beds, access to transportation, laundry facilities, hygiene supplies, and referral to other supports and services like affordable housing, medical and legal support. It was eye-opening experience to see that domestic violence and sexual assault is the leading cause of homelessness among women, and gender-based violence is often the direct result of women fleeing from a toxic and life-threatening relationships to live in shelters. This humbling experience has not only helped me to better understand the power of my voice, and my value in my community, but it has also fueled my quest to partner with local and international government, community leaders, and families to help me give back to my community. To me, it’s not a matter of charitable donations, but justice. justice is closing the gap between the rich and the poor.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
Within ten years, I hope that I can have the opportunity to become Miss Universe Canada, and to proudly represent my beautiful country on the Miss Universe stage. To me, becoming Miss Universe is more than a title, it’s an honour, a privilege, and confirmation that dreams do come true with hard work, consistency, determination, and patience. It would mean the world to me, to go back to my country as Miss Universe, as it will enable me to make a difference in the lives of so many people. I want to be able to look back in ten years and have no regrets; to know that I’ve stayed true to myself and did everything I could to set myself up for a successful future. I believe this dream to be true because I believe dreams do come true. I am ever more inspired to go after my dreams because I believe in myself and not only that, I saw Nova Stevens with my own two eyes become Miss Universe Canada
Moreover, my goal is to obtain a career that will allow me to embody myself as a successful model, actress, activist, and businesswoman focused on women’s mental health, entrepreneurship, and women empowerment. I hope to build an empire for my cosmetic brand, and in partnership with my own not-for-profit organization, I hope that I can improve the quality life of millions of people all over the world by eliminating food insecurities, and providing significant improvement in health care, access to affordable education, clean water, financial assistance, and to create opportunities for continuous economic growth.
Finally, aside from accomplishing my career ambitions, I hope that I can continue to surround myself with the people I love. I hope to be happily married and to have a beautiful and healthy family of my own.
To my beautiful, loving, and selfless mother, whom I love and respect so much. I would like to say, that my mother is my inspiration, motivation, and my role model. I gratefully dedicate my success to my mother Victoria Deng. I am who I am today because of my mother. I hope that I can also provide my children with endless opportunities to have a better chance in life than me, and I hope that I can reciprocate the same love, values, and traditions that’s my mother has installed in me as a child to my children. Most importantly, I hope to continue to be a great role my for my sisters, brother, and to my people and country.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I would like to take the time to thank you for taking the time to read my story and for giving me the time and consideration to represent my country at the Miss Universe. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for the wonderful opportunity the Miss Universe Canada organization has provided me, and for the family that I have gained throughout my journey. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to continue to gain a new sisterhood, for a chance to continue be a role model to my family, to my community and to my country. This whole experience has allowed me to grow into the woman I am today, and I am forever grateful for my platform in which, I will continue to use to empower my community and our government to work together for a better future.
I would also like to sincerely thank my friends, family, and all my supporters for making my dream come true by making this whole experience possible for me and all the girls all over Canada. This opportunity has allowed me to achieve one of my greatest goals, which is to promote women’s empowerment, and to raise awareness on the issues that I believe are affecting our people, and community.
I would also like to encourage anyone reading my bio to consider the opportunity to join the Miss Universe Canada sisterhood, to believe in themselves and to join the movement. Dreams do come true if you believe in yourself.
It starts with you!