Seema Abdullah | Defying norms in Pakistan, becoming a leader in Australia

From being the “fighter jet” MBA student defying norms in her country, Cr Abdullah transitioned to a leading force in Shepparton’s local politics.

This is the journey of a woman who broke barriers, traversed continents and united communities.

Brought up in the hustle and bustle of Islamabad, Cr Abdullah enjoyed an early life marked by simplicity and modesty.

Under the guidance of her progressive parents — a professor father and a homemaker mother — she charted her path forward.

“My parents had a limited income and couldn’t provide us with all the luxuries. However, they prioritised the education of my siblings and myself,” she said.

And it wasn’t just any education, but one that empowered women.

“Both my mother and father wanted to see their daughters become independent, both professionally and personally,” Cr Abdullah said.

Her academic journey was impressive, leading her to obtain a Master of Business Administration despite the cultural norm of women marrying before completing their tertiary education.

The hustle and spirit of her university days become evident when she recalls making a 30-minute walk to her university bus stop, followed by an hour-long bus journey.

Recognising the challenges faced by many university students in her area, she advocated for better accessibility and successfully lobbied for a bus stop closer to her residence.

Her relentless spirit and advocacy earned her the nickname “the fighter jet”.

After her studies, Cr Abdullah began a career in the male-dominated IT sector of Pakistan in 1991.

But being a sociable person, she wasn’t content with only the technical side.

“I was more of a people person; I wanted to focus on everything related to IT projects except the coding,” she said.

Soon, an opportunity arose for Cr Abdullah to study in the UK.

“I travelled to London. In those days in Pakistan, it wasn’t common for a young, unmarried woman to travel overseas for studies on her own,” she said.

“But with the full support of my parents, I studied at the London School of Economics.”

After Cr Abdullah returned to Pakistan in 1996, her family introduced her to a man with whom she’d share her journey to this day.

“Around the same time, I met my future husband,” Cr Abdullah said.

“Our families were friends, but I’d never met him until six months before our wedding.”

Their meeting was a serendipitous encounter, culminating in a marriage based on shared dreams and aspirations.

Surgeon Muhammad Abdullah, Cr Abdullah’s husband, was the driving force behind the family’s global migrations.

From Islamabad to Malaysia and eventually to Melbourne, the Abdullahs journeyed together.

“We moved to Malaysia due to a job offer he received,” Cr Abdullah said.

“In Malaysia, I faced the challenges of a new country, tough work visa regulations, and the 1997 economic crisis.”

Their move to Melbourne in 2004, prompted by Dr Abdullah’s job opportunity, was another significant milestone.

In Melbourne, Cr Abdullah took on the dual roles of a tech professional and a mother, raising two children in a new country.

However, destiny had another relocation in store.

A job opportunity for Dr Abdullah in Shepparton prompted another move.

“Shepparton was different back then,” Cr Abdullah said.

“I faced challenges, including unconscious biases in a male-dominated industry, despite my qualifications. Through it all, I persisted, driven by determination and optimism.”

For Cr Abdullah, Shepparton became the launchpad for her political career.

Despite initial challenges in finding her place, a stint with Melbourne University as a project manager revitalised her drive.

“After four years, I had to make a tough decision. My son had started his VCE years, and my husband, a busy surgeon, was working incredibly long hours,” she said.

Her desire to contribute to her community in Shepparton and her natural leadership skills led her to local politics.

Elected in 2016, Cr Abdullah became a beacon of hope for many in the community.

She wasn’t just a councillor; she represented a bridge between cultures, ideologies, and the public and their representatives.

Cr Abdullah’s ascent in Shepparton’s political landscape was both swift and significant.

Holding the position of both deputy mayor and later, mayor, she emerged as a formidable force in local governance.

“My goal was to bridge the gaps, not only between mainstream and multicultural communities but also between the council and the general public,” Cr Abdullah said.

Cr Abdullah’s journey isn’t just an individual story.

It’s a tale of family — of a daughter shaped by her parents’ values, a wife harmoniously blending her aspirations with her husband’s dreams, and a mother setting a precedent for her children.