Twin sisters Ethni and Serene Amsale, Ethiopian-Americans raised in the United States, have graduated from the University of Delaware and are pursuing careers in wildlife conservation and environmental law. Their work draws on their Ethiopian heritage to advocate for vulnerable communities and ecosystems. In recent reflections, they emphasize the role of cultural identity in their global ambitions.
Ethni and Serene Amsale, twin sisters born and raised in the U.S., first shared their thoughts on Ethiopian identity as high school students in Middletown, Delaware, in an essay published by Tadias Magazine. They expressed a sense of responsibility to "speak for those without a voice" and explored how their heritage influenced their ambitions.
In May 2025, both graduated from the University of Delaware with Bachelor of Science degrees with Distinction in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation. Ethni's senior thesis examined how cultural biases from the Global North affect conservation practices in the Global South. She conducted interviews with wildlife professionals and stakeholders in eight countries, including Eritrea, Bangladesh, and Mexico, to highlight Indigenous practices and critique Western approaches like hunting bans and fortress conservation.
"Since childhood, my sister and I have felt a responsibility to speak for those without a voice," Ethni wrote. She plans to attend law school to focus on animal and environmental law, aiming to address inequities in conservation policy. Ethni also intends to engage in non-profit work supporting local communities and to travel for ecological sustainability efforts. She credits her mother, Meseret Tamirie, for instilling resilience and purpose.
Serene, similarly committed, is applying to law schools for a J.D. in environmental law and illegal wildlife trade policy. She seeks to advise corporations and develop solutions balancing business and wildlife protection. Serene is pursuing postgraduate research, proposing fieldwork in Ethiopia to study human-wildlife conflict. Ethiopia's biodiversity, including the Ethiopian wolf, mountain nyala, gelada baboon, and Walia ibex, inspires her work.
"My approach to conservation is rooted in collaboration," Serene stated, emphasizing support for Indigenous and farming communities. Both sisters connect their efforts to Ethiopian heritage, referencing the Battle of Adwa and the national flag's symbolism of fertility, sacrifice, and harmony. They view their American and Ethiopian identities as intertwined, driving their advocacy for unity amid divisions.