From an impoverished part of Harare, Zimbabwe, Comfort grew up emulating her mother who used her meager resources to help others. Comfort wanted to be that girl who would find a way to leave her poor environment, acquire knowledge and resources to come back and help others in her community. Early on, Comfort was described as a fighter, always trying to accomplish what she set out to do. Her personal vision, “to lead a life that will impact and change as many lives as possible,” appeared to be a guide and motivation. Comfort worked as a researcher for the Zimbabwe Vitamin A for mothers (ZVITAMBO) before migrating to the United States.
Comfort started on a path in pursuit of her dreams by exploring and recognizing opportunities she could take. Her education exploits included receiving a Bachelor of Science at St Catherine University and she currently, is in the process of obtaining a Master of Public Affairs and Leadership at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Comfort also is a recent Fellow with The Minnesota Change Network.
As a first-generation Zimbabwean immigrant to the United States, Comfort worked closely to create collaboration among African Immigrants and Refugees throughout the U.S. She served as the Underserved and Marginalized Communities Empowerment Coordinator for the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence where she worked closely with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
Comfort’s zeal and determination to impact others inspired her to establish Phumulani, Minnesota African Women Against Violence, a non-profit organization focused on combating domestic and sexual violence in a culturally specific manner. Comfort believes all her work is aligned with her vision to change lives. She said, “By empowering African women fleeing gender-based violence, empowering African marginalized girls through scholarship, I create platforms for African Immigrants to be successful through connections.” Comfort is a director on the board of the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Of course, the strides Comfort has made did not come without challenges; she had to face and work hard to overcome them. Particularly, working as an African woman and finding her place in America, Comfort knew she had to work harder to prove herself over her colleagues in many situations. Going back to what she set out to do from her vision statement kept her moving forward to always help others. It is like, “living up to her name,” she said. Comfort described her greatest satisfaction as seeing a woman she had worked with as a victim becoming a survivor and taking charge of her destiny. To know that brings joy to Comfort’s inner soul and makes her reach out to help and impact another woman.