Regina D M Karluah, GIVEN ’16

“The GIVEN Forum showed me that we are not alone; our Fiat should always equal Mary’s Fiat; and being a female is a pure and beautiful gift!”

Please share a little about yourself – feel free to include a fun fact!

Hello! I am going to get straight to the point, I like to take matters into my own hands. Thankfully, this almost always leads to me totally surrendering to God 🙂  I was blessed to attend the 2016 GIVEN Forum and I would have to say that my favorite part of the Forum was having the opportunity to grow in my faith alongside some truly extraordinary companions. Oo and a fun fact about myself is that I have a very great desire to be the change that God is asking of the world. 

Describe your professional work. How were you led to this? What are you passionate about?

My professional life and my personal life align through my desire to do the work of God at all times. As an undergraduate student, I spent much of my time at the Newman Center and participated in the many service opportunities on campus, such as “Jesus Run.” But my desire to serve also calls me to be a friend to my sibling in Christ. I’ve learned that leading others in the faith doesn’t just occur by someone being in the front of a line, it begins wherever a person stands as soon as they are ready to lead with truth, honesty, and love.

“I’ve learned that leading others in the faith doesn’t just occur by someone being in the front of a line, it begins wherever a person stands as soon as they are ready to lead with truth, honesty, and love”

What are the personal strengths that you’ve been given and how do you utilize them?

Some of the personal strengths/gifts are resilience, hope, and perseverance. I live my life striving to use these gifts no matter what struggles I face. From being a toddler who had to suddenly leave the only country she had ever known, to being an adult who had to change her major right before graduation, I have never stopped allowing my strength to push me forward in my life’s mission.

What women inspire you, and why?

The women in my family are some of my greatest inspirations. Their beautiful faith, their great ability to love, and their unwavering hope are such a witness! I see this especially in my mother and her ability to glorify all things in the name of God the Father. Other women who inspire me are the Saints, particularly St. Mother Teresa and St. Maria Goretti. Their pure joy and resolute trust in hard times has set my heart ablaze for the Lord.

Are there friends and mentors that you depend upon? How do they support you?

I have a few great friends I depend on to keep me accountable for what I do and say. I firmly believe that building strong relationships with women of faith is the key to a successful and happy way of life. Having a monthly check-in with some and a daily reminder of Christ with most has been a great gift in my life. .

“I firmly believe that building strong relationships with women of faith is the key to a successful and happy way of life”

What is the best advice/encouragement you’ve received about vocational discernment?

I have received so much great advice over the course of my life! Some of my favorites are:
“If it sits on your heart, it sits there for a reason. Pray about it and let God lead.”
“Look at what God has done for you and try to do that for others”
“If it is raining why don’t you just dance in it?”
“That too shall pass”

Prayer is essential for everyone, but especially for women who are active in the life and mission of the Church. Do you have any favorite devotions or prayers?

My favorite devotional prayers are the Never Fail Novena, the Surrender Prayer, and the Rosary! I also really like to devote some of my time during the day to having a casual conversation with God.

Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

I have so many favorite inspirational quotes I couldn’t just pick one 🙂

“All will be well”
“By God’s Grace”
“One step at a time, one punch at a time” ~Rocky
“You were about to fall and look how God is holding onto your ankle” ~ My Mom

What were your key takeaways from the 2016 GIVEN Forum?

The GIVEN Forum showed me that we are not alone; our Fiat should always equal Mary’s Fiat; and being a female is a pure and beautiful gift!

What was your GIVEN action plan? Describe its mission, audience, and impact.

My original action plan was to speak about chastity to high schoolers. It has since changed but all is well 🙂 I am currently working to create an NGO/nonprofit, Echoes of Africa, that focuses on the importance of resilience and determination of a group by helping rewrite and change the narrative that is so frequently told of them by outsiders.

If your interested in learning more about Echoes of Africa you can follow us on Instagram or check out our website.