To her friends, she is known as Alem. Mrs. Wodajo has been in the public eye ever since she was attending Medhanealm High School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the 60’s and 70’s. She is a gifted and talented writer and poet, an enviable actress, eloquent speaker, and a positive role model to so many young artists in Ethiopia as well as in the Diaspora Community. She has written lyrics for very many contemporary songs. It is said that there is no popular Ethiopian vocalist who has not been impacted by her prolific work, and no lover of music who has not been touched by her words. Alem is a founder of the Performing Arts in Ethiopia and has served as its chairperson for 14 years. She is a warm-hearted person with deep humanitarian concern. Her contribution in the fight against HIV (Aids) has been recognized in the World Aids Conference in Sweden in the 1980’s. Alem is the founder of Children’s Theater Group in Ethiopia that trained orphans and children of the less fortunate in music, drama and the arts. Under her leadership the group has performed and recognized in many European and African countries. Mrs. Wodajo has received professional training in Germany, the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Checozlovakia and other places. She has served as an Administrator and Public Relation Officer of the National Theater as well as Head of Programs and Productions at the Institution. She has used her position and influence to bring about a more positive image of artists and just compensation for their work. Mrs. Wodajo is admired by her peers, respected and loved by her fellow Ethiopians, revered for her devotion to children’s concerns and her commitment to community service.