Sisterhood is priceless and rare, support of the wider community doesn't fade, Merici teachers instil a sense of community and a way of holding yourself with pride as young women.
After graduating from Merici College in 2014, Zufi Emerson moved to Sydney to complete a 3-year acting degree. She continued work as advocate for children in need of a permanent home as an ambassador for Adopt Change and became an active voice in addressing gender equality with Future Women and now, as a trained, working actor.
It was a pleasure to reconnect with Zufi at one of our Academic Award ceremonies recently where Zufi spoke to the students about the friendships and sisterhood that were formed many years ago and still continue today, “We’ve all taken very different avenues from day one to today, they are still my sisters and I could not be happier to be here today to talk to you about my life after graduating from Merici. Being here as a guest speaker today is a lot sooner than I imagined and I have realised the our motto actually has a point: I have learned to love life- especially in testing times to learn about myself and others; To have hope in my most powerful weapon that is education and find my way to use it; Be faithful, dedicating time to be faithful to my studies, work people around me and myself. I attempted most of this while I was a student, but honestly, it didn't sink in until I left school. Then, the fearless optimism Merici instilled in me, to back myself whilst I dared to dream found me in situations I never pictured being in AND none of it was to plan.”
Zufi has been committed to her work with Adopt Change, “Adopt Change also lead me to meet inspirational woman ... I was taught here that being a girl didn't determine your ability to gain high education, play whatever sport you want or be in whatever lab. My mentors had faith that I could contribute to the conversation around equality. “ Her passion however is to have a career in acting. “I knew our industry was changing but I had no clue how I’d get a chance to work as an actor, I wasn't the greatest actor in our class. I was well trained but that wasn't enough to set me apart. When I got an acting job a month before graduating, I was told it was because I was a direct and kind person. I was also signed to a reputable acting agent for this same reason. Fear of being rejected can be debilitating for some, particularly in my industry but I learned from this that I could control only two things: the effort I put into my work and the kindness I brought to the room - two things I actually learned from my time at Merici.”
Zufi concluded her address by saying that faith exists in many ways at Merici, “Sisterhood is priceless and rare, support of the wider community doesn't fade, Merici teachers instil a sense of community and a way of holding yourself with pride as young women, never letting my kindness be mistaken for weakness in any room, particularly in an industry where males hold all power meant I had moments where faith in myself was all I had. So in your year of Fidelitas and faithfulness, I implore you, whilst you continue to develop your education and your way of using it to make the change you wish to see, don't forget to build faith in yourself, if you don't have a full plan - follow your passion anyway, get educated anyway; the people who have your back and opportunities that come your way, may surprise you and maybe you’ll be asked to re-live memories and pictures of your journey at Merici sooner than you think.”
To learn more about Zufi and her achievements, visit https://www.adoptchange.org.au/team-member/zufi-emerson/
