Evolution of Human Rights – Ellie Shefi

MTC Consulting -

Interview

In this thought-provoking interview, Ellie Shefi, a recognized advocate for women’s empowerment and human rights, shares her recent work and insights since we last spoke in 2022. With a focus on increasing social equity and safety, she discusses the evolution of human rights and how women’s voices have grown stronger, particularly following the global response to Mahsa Amini’s death in Iran. Ellie describes her expanded platforms for empowering women, including the founding of a women-led publishing house and book-writing retreats, which have helped nearly 40 women become best-selling authors in the past year alone. Her passion for advocating and mentoring others shines throughout this conversation, illustrating her dedication to helping others achieve their goals.

Ellie, when we last spoke with you in 2022, you were working not only with governments and NGOs, but also for-profit organisations to shore up social safety and equity as the pandemic starkly exposed discrimination and human rights violations toward the working poor, particularly women, who bore the brunt of the economic hardship. What evolutions, if any, in human rights have you seen since then?

It’s too often a traumatic, awful, and, frustratingly, not unusual event that leads to exposure of human rights violations, like the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran. However, what has been unusual since 2022 is the number of women who are speaking out, owning their voices, and stepping into whatever power they may have. We saw this with the women’s uprising in Iran (and globally) that erupted in the wake of Amini’s death. What started as a revolutionary protest has turned into a longer-term human rights movement that maybe, someday, will result in legal protection. But, to me, the shift is the bravery of women leaning into the power of their voices. It was Amini’s story—a story of literally silencing one woman’s voice—that sparked an entire movement of thousands of women and girls. And really, at the end of the day, laws only budge when enough voices are heard and not drowned out. Recognizing that, giving women a platform to lean into the power of their voices and share their stories has become a dominant part of my work in the last two years.

Wow, that’s really powerful. Can you update us a bit more on those and other developments in your career?

While I still work with organisations to increase opportunities for women, I’ve tremendously expanded my platforms to directly work with them so that they can stand up, show up, speak up, create impact, and be a force for good.

Because I truly believe that the world is waiting for every woman’s story, I launched a publishing house that is run by women, for women. And I developed book-writing retreats, where I personally mentor women to get their stories out of their heads and into their hands. Over the past year alone, I guided nearly 40 women to successfully write best-selling books that drive change. It’s a powerful accomplishment for women to use their voice to facilitate impact and leave a lasting legacy. And it’s amazing to be a part of it!

Also, in the last two years, I’ve significantly increased my speaking appearances. In addition to my signature keynote, “Ignite Your Impact: You Were Made to Change the World,” I speak to women on topics including becoming resilient, mastering their mindset, and creating a life they love.

You present your stories to women to inspire them, empower them, and help them be instruments of change. AND then you personally help them write and publish their stories, shine their light, and live their legacy. You’re really mentoring them for the whole journey. How has this been rewarding for you personally and professionally?

When I help women transform on an individual level, their personal transformation also has a tremendous impact on their families, communities, and the world-at-large. I know that our greatest growth can occur when we see each other, hear each other, include each other, respect each other, and support each other. When women embrace their voices and come out of the shadows, they have an unmatched power to lead positive change—socially and legally. So I will continue to use my voice to guide other women to use theirs.

It’s no secret that I wear a lot of hats, including attorney, advisor, author, advocate, speaker, strategist, coach, consultant, mentor, media host, publisher, and philanthropist. And while that keeps me quite busy, I genuinely love all of my roles! Each is rewarding for me personally and professionally.

I’m very fortunate to be regularly recognized for this work. Beyond being named one of the Most Influential Women Leaders to Watch and a 50 under 50, I’ve recently been nominated in seven categories of the 2024 Women Changing the World Awards; and I’m proud to be a finalist in the Thought Leader of the Year, Woman in Education, Woman in Literature, and Woman in Media categories. I’m also honored to be chosen to be part of the US delegation of the Female Founders Trade Mission to London and Paris in May. It’s an exciting time!

You’ve come so far in your journey. Yet, you’ve had to overcome many obstacles. You’ve spoken about the idea that we all carry scars and that we can choose whether and how those scars define us. Could you share your insights on how individuals can turn life-altering challenges into opportunities for personal growth and empowerment?

I have overcome so many life-altering challenges (abuse, rape, domestic violence, homelessness, and cancer, to name a few), so I absolutely believe that challenges are doorways to opportunities for growth! I engage in the following daily practices that allow me to soar to the heights of success while navigating even the most trying events and circumstances.

I control the words I use, the meanings I assign to things, and the perspectives I maintain. I control my focus, seek the good, find the solution, recognize the opportunity, and identify the blessing and lesson in everything. I reframe whatever challenging situation I may be facing into an empowering narrative, remain the master of my mind, and shift from feeling overwhelmed, helpless, scared, and angry, to seeing possibility and forging a path forward. I live in gratitude; seek, allow, and receive help; and protect my peace. I hold firm boundaries and show myself grace.

Looking ahead, what are your future goals or aspirations within the discrimination and human rights realm? How do you plan to continue advocating for women’s advancement?

My big vision is to be a catalyst for change—one who lifts others up and emboldens them to fly. I will continue to share my message, advocate for others, and be a lighthouse of possibility.

I will continue to create opportunities for women to believe in themselves, stand in their power, show up, speak up, and shine their light. Whether I’m guiding women to get their books written and published or teaching women to find their voice, craft their message, and amplify their impact, I will help them drive change and do the meaningful work that they love.

And I will continue to create safe, supportive spaces where women see, hear, celebrate, and support one another so that they can build the confidence to go into the world, share their stories, and be a force for good. It’s my life’s mission!