Catherine Omonyo is a visionary feminist, leader, speaker, and activator of women’s and children’s rights. She is the founder and director of International School for Champions, a school for vulnerable children who could not otherwise afford an education. She is also a member of parliament, acting as the Women’s Representative for Busia County.

One of ten children, she and her entire family were left homeless in their village after her father died; her mother took a stand and refused to be “inherited” and they had to rebuild an entire life.

She fought to stay in school despite the chaos and received a scholarship to Nairobi University. While living in Nairobi and working as a maid to afford rent and school fees, she asked tailors for their throwaway scraps of fabric so that she could make clothing for extra income. She sewed stylish Avant grade dresses that became all the rage and began a school with the money that she made, to give all children opportunities to learn (one must usually pay for school in Kenya).

Besides building her visionary school, she has created economic freedom for widows by creating a program to foster their entrepreneurship in micro enterprises. She agitates for reforms, leadership change, and the condemnation of corruption and nepotism in political rallies, social media, and door to door campaigns. Her focuses are women’s rights, education, youth empowerment, community development, and job creation.