National Park Ranger Named Outstanding American by Choice Honor Conveyed at Naturalization Ceremony during National Park Week
National Park Service News Release
For Immediate Release
Kathy Kupper, National Park Service, Kathy_Kupper@nps.gov, 202-208-4990
National Park Ranger Named Outstanding American by Choice
Honor Conveyed at Naturalization Ceremony during National Park Week
WASHINGTON – A dramatic quest to pursue an education in the land of
opportunity and to escape civil war in Somalia brought Kawther Elmi to the
United States. Now a National Park Ranger, Elmi shares America’s stories
and her fervent belief in President Lincoln’s vision with visitors to the
Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This week the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recognized Ranger
Elmi by naming her an Outstanding American by Choice. The tribute
celebrates the accomplishments of naturalized U.S. citizens. Through civic
participation, professional achievement, and responsible citizenship,
recipients have demonstrated their commitment to this country and to the
common civic values that unite us as Americans.
In bestowing the honor, Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services Director, said of Elmi, “Her courage to overcome
adversity, her dedication to her studies and to her work, and her belief in
the democratic ideals of this country serve as an inspiration to us all.”
National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis expressed pride in Ranger Elmi.
“Not only does Ranger Elmi set an example by her passion her work, her life
embodies a poignant struggle and determination that exemplifies one of the
very reasons the National Park Service exists – to preserve our nation’s
important places and tell our people’s stories.”
Elmi was born in Ethiopia and raised in Somalia. She was granted political
asylum to live in the United States in 1989. She earned a bachelor of arts
in studio arts at the University of Mary Washington, a bachelor of fine
arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a master of fine arts from
the State University of New York, Albany. In 2000, she joined the National
Park Service at Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker
National Historic Site. Now, as a park ranger at the Lincoln Memorial, she
talks to visitors about Lincoln’s contributions and credits him for the
freedoms and opportunities she has been afforded and that are offered to
all those who are new to the country.
Ranger Elmi accepted the honor during a naturalization ceremony and offered
a challenge to her fellow naturalized citizens, saying to them:
It is our turn to roll up our sleeves and do good work so that future
generations will find an America even more vibrant than today….I
have no doubt we will meet the challenge before us. I am optimistic
about my future and yours, and I relish seeing what life brings
tomorrow. I am fortunate to have found work as a civil servant and
more fortunate still that my agency’s [the National Park Service’s]
core values are very much in line with my own. I wish for all of you
to find meaningful work that not only affords you life’s comforts but
also feeds your mind and spirit.
See a video of Kawther Elmi at
http://www.nps.gov/americasbestidea/video/elmi_kawther.html
The ceremony at the Department of the Interior building (moved from the
Lincoln Memorial because of rain) welcomed 40 new Americans from 23
countries, and continued a great tradition of holding naturalization
ceremonies at national parks – new citizens mean new owners of America’s
most treasured places.
Before the ceremony, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the
National Park Service renewed their partnership to enhance the meaning and
stature of citizenship ceremonies by holding them at national parks
throughout the country.
