The Heart Behind Her Fortress
Maria Tutu, founder of Her Fortress, shares her personal journey to inspire women across the diaspora to rise and thrive.
From Sudan, I arrived in the United States at a young age, carrying only a few suitcases and fewer English words. My family and I stepped into a world vastly different from the one we knew. Like so many immigrant families, my parents worked tirelessly, juggling shifts and multiple jobs to build a better future for us.
Their resilience and sacrifices planted the seeds of ambition and strength within me, even as I witnessed them face immense challenges: cultural adjustments, language barriers, and the relentless demand to work harder just to stay afloat.
These early experiences shaped my purpose. With the help of a track and field scholarship, I earned degrees in business management and finance, launching a career that spans over a decade in entrepreneurship, real estate, and finance. Along the way, I was blessed with mentors who opened doors, shared wisdom, and encouraged me to dream boldly. These opportunities inspired my commitment to creating pathways for women in the diaspora who often feel unsupported in their pursuit of purpose and vision.
A significant part of my passion stems from the challenge of dual identity—the art of balancing my Sudanese heritage with American culture. This struggle often leads to self-doubt, particularly for younger girls striving to define themselves. Her Fortress seeks to support these women and girls, helping them embrace their individuality, build confidence, and thrive both personally and professionally. For such a time as this, we are called to empower one another, anchored by a shared faith that guides us in our purpose and vision.
Her Fortress is rooted in the experiences of women in the diaspora, with a vision to connect and empower those from diverse backgrounds. It aims to support women who, despite years or decades in the U.S., often find themselves stuck or lacking access to resources and connections. This organization provides a platform to reignite hope and open doors to new opportunities, regardless of where they are on their journey. The resourcefulness, adaptability, and resilience demonstrated by women in the diaspora inspire the foundation of our mission to help them thrive and lead with fortitude.
In recent months, Her Fortress has partnered with key initiatives to expand its reach and impact. In November, we served as a financial sponsor for a Mental Health Awareness Gala, supporting discussions on emotional wellness within immigrant communities.
Additionally, in December we collaborated as an educational resources partner at a Sudanese Women Empowerment Conference, where we shared tools for financial literacy and professional growth. These efforts reflect our commitment to providing tangible support and fostering meaningful change.
For over a decade, I have devoted myself to creating opportunities for others through community engagement. I have served on the Board of Young Professionals with Jewish Vocational Services, teaching personal finance classes to new immigrants, and currently serve as the Commissioner for Sudan with the Ethnic Enrichment Committee in Kansas City. These roles have reinforced my belief in the power of meaningful networks and collaboration. By breaking barriers and building bridges, we ensure no woman in the diaspora feels isolated or unsupported in her journey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my passion became conviction. I watched countless immigrant women, particularly those in labor-intensive industries, lose their livelihoods and struggle to regain stability.
I asked myself: what made my journey different? The answer was clear, access. I had mentors, resources, and the chance to grow as a businesswoman, while many others lacked these connections.
This simple contrast became the driving force behind my mission to rewrite the narrative for women in the diaspora.
Her Fortress was born from this vision. Inspired by Queen Esther, who strategically leveraged her position to create change, I envisioned a community where women could unite, share their strengths, and build something greater together. Like a fortress, we are individually strong, but together, we are unshakable. Her Fortress reignites vision, purpose, and momentum for every woman in our community.
Through mentorship, networking, and strategic collaboration, my mission is to equip women with the tools and support they need to rise confidently and fulfill their God-given potential. By building on shared experiences and distinct roles, we can inspire transformation within ourselves and across generations. In our first year, we aim to pair 12 or more mentors and mentees, with a goal of impacting over 1,000 women locally within five years. Imagine a woman who has spent years, yearning for a way to step into a career aligned with her skills and dreams. Through Her Fortress, she finds mentorship, builds confidence, and grows into a leader who empowers others. By lifting up women today, we ensure the next generation of girls grows up with confidence, community, and purpose. By embracing the richness of our diverse backgrounds, we create a community stronger than any challenge we face.
Her Fortress is more than an organization; it is a movement—a testament to the strength, courage, and fortitude of women in the diaspora.
Our vision extends beyond borders, striving to inspire a global movement where women in the diaspora lead transformative change in their communities and beyond. Together, we aim to create a legacy of resilience and opportunity, proving that no dream is out of reach when we stand united. Her Fortress is just the beginning of a global movement to uplift women across all diaspora communities, wherever they may be, empowering them to create ripples of impact worldwide. My hope is that Her Fortress becomes a sanctuary of growth, where women come together to build legacies of strength and transformation.
Join Us in Making a Difference
We invite you to be part of this transformative journey. Follow us on social media, share our mission, and support Her Fortress as we empower women across the diaspora. Every donation helps us pair mentors and mentees, host transformative workshops, and expand our reach to impact 1,000 women over the next five years. Together, we can create a world where women in the diaspora thrive as leaders and changemakers. Join us today and be part of this transformation.
Support Her Fortress – A 501(c)(3) Organization
Her Fortress is a DBA of Entrepreneurs In Diaspora Union. Entrepreneurs In Diaspora Union is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and celebrating women in the diaspora. Your generous donations help us provide mentorship, resources, and a thriving community for women entrepreneurs and leaders.
All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Together, we can create a lasting impact and inspire transformation across communities and generations.
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