Different Background …. Same Goal

These days it can be tough to have a fun and fascinating opportunity. With the emergency of final exams that overwhelm students to get a better grade and leave a complete mark for the end of the school year, it is more difficult to choose a vocational-like program. The announcement of my acceptance as the recipient of 2012 Annpower Leadership Forum to Washington D.C catalyzes the end of my junior year – the beginning of my journey and celebration of success through milestone of leadership performance.

One of the most inspiring events is the lunch panel discussion with the Global leadership Award Honorees. They are honored as the greatest representative in their community or active woman leaders from Middle East, Latin American countries, Africa, Europe, etc.  They have such an enormous global impact on attributing their time in economic empowerment, combating human trafficking, discovering the era of democracy in undeveloped country – but their goals are the same – to continue to aspire, to prove the world how capable us women truly are, and to fight against stereotype for ultimate inalienable human rights. Ruth Zavaleta Salgado and Marianne Ibrahim had the deepest impression, which their word vibrated in my ear.

Ruth was elected to the Position of President of Chamber Deputies in 2007. Her distinctive and profound conviction shapes her leadership role in overseeing indigenous women’s access to vote through primary functional institutions and robust root of democracy.

Marianne demonstrates her passion against discrimination based on gender and religion in Egyptian Society through her impact and outreach in the organization she co-founded – AlGisr Center for Development and Dialogue. She realizes religion plays a huge role in Egyptian life through the stand point of food, politic, relationship, marriage and practice. Her personality is the closest to mine, but still impressing my memory: “you can see a lot of Egyptian people sit in the coffee shop and complain all day. Whether you stop complaining, or do something.”

Besides, I have the pleasure to meet other 49 women fellows from 24 different states in the United States. The most difficult time for me is the sleeping time, because everyone has her different daily routine, more than that, I prefer sleeping early. This really disrupts my next day schedule. I could see their spirit and excitement shine through their eyes while they indulge in the crazy shopping night & Washington night tour.

But, getting to know then better, after couple days, initially I realize they are activist, team leader, club president, founder of organization, working in community and global setting. The misconception of first sight resolves – one demonstrates fully self-control, confidence and allure in the public speaking setting. Especially the last-minute impression: the group platform and individual presentation.

They really pay effort on preparing the platform and overcoming nervousness and personal barrier. More importantly, their passion and character reveal with those brilliant ideas – that make me realize the inspirational context behind vital voice and woman empowerment – having bold ideas and paying them forward with bold actions and willingness to learn and incorporate with people have different background.

To my best extent of knowledge, those aspiring women, include me, will become good leaders with continuous endeavor and training in the future. Cognizant of international and global issues, provides me with an alternative worldview and inspires me to develop an extra strategy to help out people in undeveloped countries. To break the silence and overcome soft-spoken stereotypes are our main goals to aspire and to prove the world how capable we are and how juxtaposition is a non-existent theory for us to abide in the twenty first century.