We become what we see - The important of mentorship from an early age
The environment that a girl is raised in influences and shapes her life, her mind, her perceptions, her dreams, aspirations and limitations.
I have been thinking about the people that played a role in my up bringing, specifically the women that were in my life when I was child. They fed me, nurtured me but most importantly defined what a woman was to me in their word and deed.
My idea of who a woman is, my role in society, what I could do or not do. What I could achieve or not achieve. I became what I saw. I emulated my mother, by wearing her shoes and wearing lipstick when playing house for children imitate what they see.
She was my first role model. I was surrounded by a lot of women growing up who I aspired to be. They guided me in word and deed to reach out for my goals, work hard and dare to dream. They shaped my values, dreams,aspirations and my perceptions about life.
The dreams might have changed and are still changing but I am what I am today because of what I saw.
I have been thinking of girls from less privileged communities. The type of role models that the community has to offer. I have been thinking of their perceptions of what a woman and her role in society. The limitations of their dreams and aspirations because of what they see. I have been thinking of their potential, the girl who could be the doctor who finds a cure of AIDS, the next constitutional judge, the next president, the next social worker etc. I have been thinking of all this potential that could be lost.
This has challenged to think of the importance of mentorship in a girl's child and how that could change a woman's socio economic status and even her community at large. Mentorship is vital if we are to empower women. Girls need role model, an example, for when they see they will be inspired to dream, to work hard and achieve greatness. When they hear the inspirational stories they will believe that if she or he can do it so can I.
When they see, they will become and inspire the next girl to do the same!
I have been thinking about the people that played a role in my up bringing, specifically the women that were in my life when I was child. They fed me, nurtured me but most importantly defined what a woman was to me in their word and deed.
My idea of who a woman is, my role in society, what I could do or not do. What I could achieve or not achieve. I became what I saw. I emulated my mother, by wearing her shoes and wearing lipstick when playing house for children imitate what they see.
She was my first role model. I was surrounded by a lot of women growing up who I aspired to be. They guided me in word and deed to reach out for my goals, work hard and dare to dream. They shaped my values, dreams,aspirations and my perceptions about life.
The dreams might have changed and are still changing but I am what I am today because of what I saw.
I have been thinking of girls from less privileged communities. The type of role models that the community has to offer. I have been thinking of their perceptions of what a woman and her role in society. The limitations of their dreams and aspirations because of what they see. I have been thinking of their potential, the girl who could be the doctor who finds a cure of AIDS, the next constitutional judge, the next president, the next social worker etc. I have been thinking of all this potential that could be lost.
This has challenged to think of the importance of mentorship in a girl's child and how that could change a woman's socio economic status and even her community at large. Mentorship is vital if we are to empower women. Girls need role model, an example, for when they see they will be inspired to dream, to work hard and achieve greatness. When they hear the inspirational stories they will believe that if she or he can do it so can I.
When they see, they will become and inspire the next girl to do the same!
