Meet Rose
Meet Rose Mapendo
Mrs. Rose Mapendo (Born 1963) is an ordinary woman with an extraordinary story. In the early 1990s, ethnic violence consumed the Democratic Republic of Congo, changing the lives of Rose and her family forever. In 1998, she fell victim to ethnic genocide that originated four years earlier with the intent of exterminating the Tutsi tribe. As a victim of unimaginable violence, Rose understands the struggle to remain hopeful. Through her traumatic journey, she transformed from a victim into a woman with an inspiring testimony and proof that nothing is impossible.
After spending 16 months in a horrifying and torturous death camp, her triumph over evil is a transcendent symbol of strength, hope, and happiness. Mrs. Rose Mapendo, is the Chairperson of Rose Mapendo Foundation (RMF), a foundation formed in 2012. She draws on her traumatic life experiences to help others. As the Chairperson of the foundation, she is able to fulfill her passion and mission to help the most vulnerable in Africa and abroad. In many places widows and their children become outcasts, forgotten and isolated from society.
Acting as a voice for the voiceless, she is working to create a better future for her people, and the world. Mrs. Rose Mapendo has delivered keynote speeches at national and international forums on various themes, including refugees, peace and forgiveness, health, children’s welfare and women’s empowerment, among others.
Mrs. Rose Mapendo personifies an active, relentless and passionate devotion to uplifting the lives of vulnerable populations in the Great Lakes region in Africa; particularly those of widows, orphans and disadvantaged families of war and genocide.
Today Rose works as a Human rights global activist striving to bring peace among peoples and the empowerment of women and girls in east Africa and beyond. Rose’s hope and her life’s work has been defined by a strong stance against violence, and by advancing woman’s place in society and instilling in them a sense of self-worth.
She is a role model and an inspiration for many women who have experienced violence and genocide and who aspire to achieve their dreams and goals.
Awards
Photo Gallery
Global Speaking Engagements
2008
White House World Refugee Day — Washington, D.C.
Featured speaker at the White House World Refugee Day event.
https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080623-5.html
2010
University of Southern California — Global Health Lecture Series
Featured speaker sharing insights on humanitarian work, resilience, and refugee experiences.
https://globalhealth.usc.edu/news-events/lectureseries/2010lectureseries/rosemapendo/
2011
Women Forging a New Security Conference
Speaker addressing peacebuilding, women’s leadership, and global humanitarian issues.
https://www.kublacom.ca/women-forging-a-new-security.html
2011
Texas Conference for Women
Featured speaker.
https://www.conferencesforwomen.org/speakers/rose-mapendo/
2011
Northwestern University Conference on Human Rights
Speaker on human rights, conflict, and humanitarian advocacy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XZtyRiHQRQ
Western New Mexico University
Guest speaker sharing her story and work in humanitarian service.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fo_P50Ccjg
2014
International Women’s Day — Israel
Speaker sharing a message of peace, resilience, and women’s empowerment.
https://www.jpost.com/national-news/congolese-humanitarian-rose-mapendo-brings-message-of-peace-to-israel-345178
2019
Northwestern University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sgWtI1jn-g
2026
Ibintu Bikomeye — Kenya
Featured speaker discussing humanitarian work and community impact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqRWYzX5Fh8
In The Media
Interviews & News Features
- Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Mapendo
- 2009 – UNHCR Interview: Rose Mapendo Draws on Her Traumatic Life to Help Others
https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/q-rose-mapendo-draws-her-traumatic-life-help-others - 2011 – NPR Interview: War Survivor Shares Remarkable Story of Forgiveness
https://www.npr.org/2011/03/31/135011840/war-survivor-shares-remarkable-story-of-forgiveness - 2011 – Pushing the Elephant Premiere Feature
https://premierguidemiami.com/rose-mapendo-headlines-the-6th-annual-womens-international-film-and-arts-festival-on-april-2-2011-at-the-hollywood-performing-arts-center/ - 2011 – Arizona PBS Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UluArYlXLWk
- 2015 – Turning Point International Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxcp5y7H9Sw
- 2017 – 12 News (Phoenix): Human Rights Activist, Genocide Survivor, and Advocate Rose Mapendo
https://www.12news.com/article/opinion/go-ask-ozzy/shes-a-human-rights-activist-her-husband-was-murdered-shes-a-genocide-survivor-living-in-az/75-441963984
Documentaries & Films
- Watch Pushing the Elephant Documentary
https://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/51309/pushing-the-elephant - PBS Documentary: Dialogue: Refugee Advocate Rose Mapendo
https://video.indianapublicmedia.org/video/dialogue-refugee-advocate-rose-mapendo/
Podcasts
- 2011 – Another View: Women, War, and Peace
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-war-and-peace/id450055404?i=1000292199863 - 2020 – Grace Baptist Church (Bexleyheath): Jesus for Life
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jesus-for-life/id1437403456?i=1000463738664
Podbean: https://gbcb.podbean.com/e/jesus-for-life/ - 2023 – South Charlotte Presbyterian Church: Jesus in Depth – Betrayal, Denial and a Reconciling Meal (Mark 14:12)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/betrayal-denial-and-a-reconciling-meal-mark-14-12/id1352808945?i=1000622190739 - 2023 – The God Show with Pat McMahon: Conflict in the DRC and the Power of Forgiveness
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-youve-heard-horror-stories-about-conflict-in-the/id1366905823?i=1000618272253 - 2025 – Black & Blurred Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zatxOU7OvVA - 2025 – Never Again Podcast: A Firsthand Account from a Congolese Survivor and Building a Future for the Next Generation in the DRC
https://coloradopodcastnetwork.com/podcast/never-again/episode/a-firsthand-account-from-a-congolese-survivor-and-building-a-future-for-the-next-generation-in-the-drc
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