Maria Kamm
Born1937 (age 86–87)
Iringa, Tanzania
Nationality Tanzania
Other namesMama Kamm
Education
  • Tosamaganga Secondary School
  • Loleza Secondary School
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Teaching
  • counselling
Known for
  • Teaching
  • businesswoman
  • politician
  • philanthropist
Political partyChama Cha Mapinduzi
Board member ofLayra Africa[1]
SpouseGeorge Kamm

Maria Josephine Kamm (born 1937) is a Tanzanian educator, politician and philanthropist. She has been recognized nationally for her impaction women's education in Tanzania.

Background and education

Kamm was born in June, 1937 in Iringa, Tanzania.[2] She attended Tosamaganga Secondary School in Iringa, went to Loleza Girls Secondary School in Mbeya before finishing high school at Kilakala Secondary School in Morogoro. She later enrolled at Saint Mary's College to obtain her bachelor's degree.[2] Completing a college degree was unusual for a woman the time, as most schooling for women in Tanzania ended at Form II.[3]

She then attended Syracuse University in New York City where she received her master's degree, becoming one of the first women from Tanzania to earn a degree in the United States.[3]

Career

Kamm started teaching in 1965. At this time, theories of education were being widely discussed in Africa, as countries moved away from colonial government and educational systems, and established their own models. In 1967, the government of Tanzania issued a policy urging participatory pedagogy and practical education in schools.[4]

In the early years of her career, she taught at Machame Girls Secondary School, and Rugambwa Secondary School. She then became headmistress of Weruweru Secondary School, a public girls school in the Kilimanjaro region,[5] leading the school from 1970 to 1992.

She did not believe that girls who were pregnant should be expelled, but this was the policy of the government at the time. As a result, she started her own parallel school, the Kilimanjaro Academy, for girls who dropped out of government schools because of pregnancy.[4] She also founded the Mama Clementine Foundation in 1988, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education to under-privilege girls.[6]

She also briefly entered politics and become Member of Parliament, winning a Special Seat for Tanzanian Mainland.[7] Her interest in politics was sparked by Julius Nyerere and his philosophies on education and democracy.

In retirement, Kamm continued to be an advocate for quality education for girls. Kamm is an honorary member and patron for Lyra Africa, a non-profit working on addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including girls education.[1] She was also the chairperson of Dodoma Christian Medical Center Trust from 2003 to 2015.[8] She also helped found the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation.

Impact on women's education in Tanzania

Affectionately known as "Mama Kamm", she has been recognized nationally for her work, and is considered a role model for women in the country.

In 2014, Kamm was selected as the Tanzanian Woman of the Year, for her work in education.[9] She was also featured in an episode on the Tanzanian television program, Malkia wa Nguvu, translated in English as Strong Queen, which features women who have achieved success.[3]

Ms. Notburga Aphonce Maskini, former vice-president of Trade Union Congress of Tanzania and former Chief Administrative officer in the Prime Minister's office, cites Kamm as one of her role models. She credits Kamm for her role in helping women advance in Tanzania. She noted, "Her earnest heart, her work as a headmistress, and patroness has resulted in our country getting outstanding leadership in our country."[10]

Awards

Kamm has received several awards for her work:

  • 2011, The Women of Achievement Award (Life Time Achievement)[2]
  • 2014, Tanzania Woman of the Year, from Global Publishers.[11][12]
  • 2018, Malkia wa Nguvu Prize, Clouds Media.[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Tanzanian girls' education icon, Dr Maria Kamm joins Lyra". Lyra In Africa.
  2. 1 2 3 "Dr. Maria Kamm – 2011 Recipient | TWA". twa.or.tz.
  3. 1 2 3 Jordans, Eva; Ng'weno, Bettina; Spencer-Oatey, Helen (2019). Developing Global Leaders: Insights from African Case Studies. p. 207. ISBN 978-3030146061.
  4. 1 2 Meena, Ruth (1996). "Situational Analysis of Education of Girls/Women in Tanzania". Utafiti. 3: 39–90.
  5. ↑ "Tanzania | Weruweru Secondary School 2020/2021 Registration | NECTA Results | Fees | Review". School Direct. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  6. ↑ "Foundation – mcf kilimanjaro lodge". Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  7. ↑ "Lowassa, Ulimwengu among MPs elected in the 1990 polls". The Citizen. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  8. ↑ "DCMC Trustees".
  9. ↑ "Dr Maria Kamm wins the woman of the year awards". Prof Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  10. ↑ Ltd, Tanzania Standard Newspapers. "'Women and children's rights well accommodated in proposed Katiba'". dailynews.co.tz. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  11. ↑ "TANZANIA: Maria Kamm Wins Woman-of-the - Year Award". www.mewc.org.
  12. ↑ Ltd, Tanzania Standard Newspapers. "Maria Kamm wins Woman-of-the- Year award". www.dailynews.co.tz.
  13. ↑ Cloud Media [@cloudsmedialive] (April 9, 2018). "Tweet" (Tweet) (in Swahili) – via Twitter.
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