Crossing the finished line

These past six weeks has made me realised that so much can happen within the four corners of the walls- my home. Thanks to God for the strength and determination in making me a 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow, seeing all the wishes and prayers made me realised that the world celebrates with you, only when you cross the finish line.

Being a 2015 YALI RLC Accra fellow changed my whole concept about life, as a graduate with a civil service job who was engaged to be married, a girl in my community would not have asked for more in life than to be happily married and have children. Growing up we were usually told that a girl should wear three gowns to be successful- a graduation gown, a wedding gown, and a maternity gown.

?But that limitation was not for me, sharing dreams and aspirations with 99 young people across West Africa during the YALI fellowship made me realised that there is more to a successful life than just being a housewife and a mother. My concept changed, I began looking out for what I was passionate about which is empowering women and girls to become a better version of themselves. This dream, passion and determination fuelled me to do more, mentor and inspire women and other young people.

Today, I am celebrating the relentless hard work I have done behind closed doors, as I have been looking forward to becoming a Mandela Washington Fellow which I believed would give me new connections in my leadership drive. I applied four times and yes, I failed, the first three times I was not selected, the third time I went to the interview stage, got a panic attack, and I was disheartened. Yes, disappointed with me for not being good enough, I went through the application I sent, went through online public speaking sessions all over again, went through profiles of past fellows, and prayed more. Yes- I was called for an interview again, this time I was more determined and on my way to the interview, a friend called and echoed “are you not tired of being rejected” and I smiled with a swift response saying, ‘am not giving up. Yes- boom I succeeded, for it was a dream come true and this friend of mine was the first to congratulate me.

A few months later, I was told the fellowship was postponed to 2021 due to covid-19 and as the numbers of covid-19 cases kept increasing in the United States, there was no way we could go to the USA to attend the live fellowship. We were then given the option to opt out of the fellowship if we are not comfortable doing it online, I couldn’t back out at this stage, for me going to America was not my only key focus but being on a platform that will illuminate my light. Six weeks having virtual connections at the Bridgewater state university, I have met people who have not only inspired me to make more impact, but I have also built strategic partnerships with organisations and institutions that will not only add value to my career but will help me make transformative changes in my country. I have learnt that in achieving your dreams, you must be a resilient leader who is humbled, consistent, and remain focused to cross the finish line.

As Mandela once said, “Nothing is impossible until it is done”. To every woman reading this piece, I want to challenge you to go after what you are passionate about, we are what the World has been waiting for to make a change. Women across the globe must rise, be dedicated to following their passions, have dialogues across the boards to make positive changes in making the world a better place.

#MandelaFellows?#ExchangeOurWorld?#MandelaFellows #MWFConnect?