Ibtissem Dib
Height: 5’5
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Languages: French, English, Arabic
Occupation: Managers Assistant
Ibtissem was born and raised in Algeria during the turbulent civil war of the 1990s. At just ten years old, she began working in her family’s small business, managing cash alongside her studies. After earning a degree in management and business law, Ibtissem moved to Morocco, but later relocated to Canada to restart her education in administration
In 2019, she was diagnosed with stage 4 deep endometriosis, which severely impacted her quality of life, leaving her unable to walk for two years. Following a total hysterectomy in 2023, Ibtissem faced depression and divorce, but with the support of friends, she sought help and began to heal.
Now rebuilding her life in Edmonton, Ibtissem is dedicated to raising awareness about the mental health impacts of endometriosis, believing that everyone can reshape their destinies and pursue their dreams. She stands as a testament to the strength found in resilience.
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FAMILY & FRIENDS
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
- Travel
- Create new recipes
- Meditation
- Photography
- Writing
- Working out
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
- Modeling
- Acting
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I didn’t participate (lived in the period of terrorism when I was a child in Algeria)
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
If I have to choose just one name I would say the Berber Queen Dihya, who in the 7th century succeeded in uniting the tribes of North Africa to organize resistance to Arab armies. Named Kahina (means Diviner) for me she is the symbol of the strong women
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My greatest achievement, is fighting the depression I was in, got back on my feet after my divorce when my ex tried to break 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 survived many times, from terrorism 1990-2000, earthquake 2001, almost plane crush in 2006, Endometriosis 2023 and all those experiences made the strong person I am today
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to achieve that goal?
Being an actress was one of my dreams. It was seen as a bad thing for a woman in my homeland culture, but now my new country allows me to dream and pursue my dreams so I took some acting classes, and I will go at the end of June for training and meet managers and agents in Los Angeles.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
I would love to travel everywhere for missions to help people in difficult conditions in there countries (I remember one time I was a little girl I cried because I saw people starving in Ethiopia and I told my mom when I get rich, I will send a plane full of food and toys to all those children).
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I had a difficult childhood, between security problems in the country (Algeria), working as a child with my father after school for years but I always knew how to protect myself by creating a bubble when time is hard and fill it with positivity.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Worked in a bakery with my father when I was 10 years old; I have always worked in administrations in Algeria and Canada.
List any volunteering you have done.
Teaching French and helping people around me.
What is your most unusual talent?
Acting and writing.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
Rome, I was amazed by the history, the language, the food, the culture. In the same time, Banff is such a powerful natural scenic beauty that makes me cry.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
Keep being the good person I am today, keep growing every day. Be part / create an association to help women face mental health to regain control of their lives.