The Sky Is the Limit!

When she first came to Canada from Lebanon, Vivian juggled two jobs and motherhood with university classes and adjusting to life in a new country.

Thirteen years later, she is a manager in Alberta’s department of education and has just welcomed the rest of her family to this country.

Vivian believes that success is achievable if people are willing to work for it.

“The sky is the limit for immigrant women,” she says. “We can go places where no one has ever been and forge the path for others.”

Vivian moved to Canada as a permanent resident in 1995 after being sponsored by her husband, Norm, whom she met and married when he was visiting family in Lebanon.

Settling with Norm in Edmonton, Vivian worked as a math tutor and in a bakery while also taking university classes for three years to earn a Bachelor of Education.

As if that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Vivian also had two children during that time and has since had a third. She credits her in-laws for taking care of her children while she completed her degree.

After graduating, Vivian was hired by the Edmonton Public School Board to teach mathematics and science and, after only a year, became head of the mathematics department in her school.

While teaching full-time, she also completed a masters degree and moved on to work for Alberta Education, first as a consultant, then as a program manager in mathematics, and now as Senior Manager in the Department’s Official Languages section.

In February 2008, Vivian extended her family in Canada when her mother, father and three brothers arrived in Edmonton. Sponsored by Vivian, they came here as permanent residents and are already settling into work and school in Canada.

“They describe their arrival in Canada as the discovery of a gem,” says Vivian.

Vivian continues to upgrade her skills by taking leadership courses. She is a Sunday school teacher, a choir member and President of the Antiochian Women of St. Philip Orthodox Church in Edmonton. She also volunteers her time to help newcomers who, like her, have moved to Canada from other countries.

While her own drive and ambition have been key to her success, Vivian also credits her friends, her community and her entire family for their support.

“Alone, we go fast,” she says, “but together, we go far.”