𝐄𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞 (𝐀𝐚𝐝d𝐞𝐞) 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐢 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐢

 

𝐄𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞 (𝐀𝐚𝐝d𝐞𝐞) 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐢 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐢

Today, we gather to honor the life of a woman whose spirit could not be contained—an anchor to her family, a nurturer of hearts, a fearless freedom fighter, a proud Oromo, and a lioness whose roar was grace, resilience, and truth. She loved her people as deeply as she loved her family.

She deeply resented the oppression of her people and fought for their liberation with courage and an unwavering lifetime commitment. She loved humans and all creation. She loved the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice. No To her loved ones, she was Aaddee or Haadha Urjii—names spoken with affection, admiration, and gratitude. She lived with quiet dignity, fierce conviction, and a generosity of spirit that touched everyone she met. Gracefully resilient, nurturing, steadfast, unapologetic, enduring, and lionhearted, she lived life entirely on her own terms. Addise was born in February 1940 in the Oromia region, West Wollaga Zone, Ghimbi district, in the village of Laaloo Assabi. She began her education at Ghimbi Adventist School, later studied in Asmara, and returned to Finfinne to complete high school.

She was married to the late Dr. Taddasa Ebba Fido and was the devoted mother of Urji, Seena, and Ebba. She carried in her heart the grief of losing her young son, Melba Eebba, while unjustly imprisoned. She was the cherished grandmother of Beekaa, Sololiya, Kebor, and Malani, and the beloved siblings of Yohannes, Aster, Abinet, Yosias, Zakariyas, Yonas, Abraham, and Isaac. Aaddee held various professional roles, including working in the Ethiopian Tourist Organization (19671976) in the duty-free department, serving as Public Relations Officer at Addis Ababa Hot Spring Hotel (1976–1977), and managing the Ethiopian Retail Grocery Corporation (1977–1978). From a young age, Addise’s heart was stirred by injustice and the plight of her people. In the 1960s, while still in high school, she joined the Macha and Tulama Self-Help Association, a pivotal organization for Oromo political awakening. When it was banned, she continued her activism through the Wallaga SelfHelp Organization, which was also outlawed. In 1974, she became a member of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). Although the OLF was illegal, she worked tirelessly under the cover of cultural groups, publications, and community organizations—teaching Oromo history, preserving the language, organizing events such as the Oromo Cultural Show, and participating in rallies and public gatherings.

She went into homes raising consciousness, supporting, and organizing secretly and relentlessly. Her home became a shelter for those in danger—she clothed, fed, and protected comrades, sent them to safety, and safeguarded the secrets of the movement, even when soldiers ransacked her home in the middle of the night. She stood firm and watched them as they searched her home, quietly laughing at their foolishness and confident they would never find what she hid from them. Her courage came at an immense cost, but Aaddee was intentional and ready for the sacrifice. In 1980, she was separated from her loved ones and two toddlers and thrown in prison with many of her comrades. She was imprisoned for ten years under brutal conditions, facing torture, daily interrogations, and physical abuse so severe she sometimes lost consciousness. In prison, she endured profound losses: the death of her mother and her young son. Strength and resilience were her enduring grace from God, and she demonstrated both with finesse as she was tested by fire and relentless hardship. The tragedy of losing her son even caused conflict among prison administrators— some sought to punish her by denying her attendance at his funeral, while others, moved by her generosity of spirit, advocated for her. In the end, she was allowed to attend, returning under guard to a prison cell left open so inmates could grieve alongside her, an unprecedented act of compassion in such a place. Tragedy struck again when beloved comrades were dragged from prison and executed.

Devastated by repeated loss, she nevertheless became a pillar of strength for others—passing vital information, offering comfort, and inspiring resilience. Amnesty International recognized her as a prisoner of conscience, and she was released in late 1989. In 1991, Addise came to the United States with her daughter Urji Eebba, settling in Minneapolis, where her husband joined them soon after. She worked as a caregiver at Good Samaritan Society nursing home until her retirement in 2013. Even in exile, she carried her identity proudly and continued to advocate for her people—remaining active in the OLF and the Oromo community, attending events, mentoring youth, and speaking out for justice. She loved reading biographies of pioneering women, delighted in cooking for her family, especially banana bread, and was known for her warmth, optimism, and readiness to help. Friends affectionately called her “the queen of think positive” for her infectious smile and unwavering hope. In 2014, she moved to Virginia to care for her sister Abinet, a role she embraced with the same devotion she gave to every responsibility in her life. Even in exile, she lived and breathed Oromummaa, never regretting the sacrifices she made. She often said the Oromo cause was so great, it was worth dying for.

To her family, she was more than a mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt—she was a safe harbor in every storm, a pillar of dignity, and a living example of service and courage. Her family remembers her as a constant provider, a fearless lioness, and a woman who lived entirely on her own terms. No. stm 006/stm/2021 No.: Her legacy is one of passion for justice, endurance in hardship, and generosity of spirit. She leaves behind a grieving family, a strengthened community, and countless lives shaped by her love and example. As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate her life, and as we celebrate, we mourn. We will miss her charm, her cheerful optimism, and her relentless enthusiasm. stm 002/stm/2021 No She is survived by her daughters Urji and Seena, son Ebba, grandchildren Beekaa, Sololiya, Kebor, and Malani; siblings Aster, Yonas, and Isaac; and is predeceased by her husband Dr. Taddasa Ebba, son Melba, and siblings Yohannes, Abinet, Yosias, Abraham and Zakarias. Rest well, Aadee.

You have fought the good fight.

Your roar will echo for generations.

Oromo Liberation Front

August 17, 2025