Korto Momolu
Fashion designer Korto Momolu's rise to the pinnacle of her profession is a testimonial to perseverance and faith. Korto, educated in a Canadian boarding school, was unable to return home due to the war in her native Liberia prior to her senior year in high school. Her parents were able to escape to Canada and join Korto and her sister, but were forced to leave everything behind but the clothes on their backs. This displaced family was suddenly thrust into a new life in a strange country leaving relatives and all they had known up to now behind.
Upon her graduation Korto was accepted into one of the top design schools in Canada, but was unable to attend because of a lack of resources. Her story as a designer might have ended at this point except for the determination of her mother and the generosity of a stranger.
Korto's mother found her daughter's sketch book and was the first to realize she really had talent. Her mother became...
A stranger, a woman from their church, "one of my angels in life" also recognized Korto's raw talent and believing that Korto should not wait to go to school generously paid her tuition so she could attend a local school.
Initially, Korto was reluctant to go, and was considering a career in law, but her mother pressured her to attend, telling her daughter they would find a way. This was a pivotal experience in the young girl's life, "your attitude is so much…you always have to have faith…my mom taught me what faith was." Korto's unwavering belief in herself and her ability to make it no matter how dim the light has propelled her to the successful career she enjoys today.
When Korto graduated from school she was recognized as one of the top three in her class despite the fact she could not sew. She kicked around in Canada for a while, eventually teaching design…
