In the government city of Ottawa, Ontario, lives Ruwedia Shira. A leader in the Somali community for the past 10 years. With her organization Daryeel , she has been at the forefront of starting homework clubs for Somali youth, programs for seniors and summer employment for students. Ruwedia has been an icon, and there isn’t anyone in the Ottawa Somali community who doesn’t know her. In the mids of the nation ordered quarantine and social distancing, Ruwedia took it upon herself to once again be a leader. But this time, leading outside of her community. Working along side Alhuda , a popular Somali restaurant in Ottawa, Ruwedia hand delivered traditional Somali food to frontline hospital workers. Feeding over 300 workers at the Ottawa General Hospital, Montfort Hospital, and the Ottawa Civic Hospital. To Ruwedia, leadership is a trait that runs deeply in her life. Being a mother, an aunt, and a icon among Somalis has been on her shoulders for a long time. Thus, her reaching out and supporting fellow Ottawa natives was second nature to her. Ruwedia continues her work through being the President of her organization Daryeel . She hopes to continue being the leader that she is, not just in her community but throughout Ottawa. If you’re interested in following Ruwedia’s work, please visit our website at daryeelyssc.org .