For centuries women have had to fight to achieve full equality in comparison to men. Women did not have equal rights as men did, politically, religiously, legally etc. They have more than often been relegated to the background. The gender gap is to still to be closed completely but today we openly celebrate and acknowledge women leadership and global contributions they have made and continue to make, smashing glass ceilings and breaking stereotypes.
Dr Mamokgethi Phakeng (Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town)
Bogolo Kewenedo (Botswana’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry)
Caster Semenya (South African Olympic Gold Medallist)
Kansiime Anne (Ugandan Entertainer and Actress)
Marsai Martin (15 year old American Actress and Producer)
Zozibinzi Tunzi (Miss South Africa 2019)
These are woman from all walks of life, different races, different ages, different industries (politics, sports, entertainment, academia – to mention a few
What do they all have in common? They are inspirational women who have made an impact in many people lives, representing women everywhere. Some call them influential, some call them powerful, some call them leaders. This month we are celebrating them.
Beetroot takes a look on most common traits found among these phenomenal beings with the belief that women from all over the world can too become influential and powerful.
1. Hardwork – without doubt hard work is the key to success. Choosing to dedicate your whole self into what you are doing means you will understand late nights and early mornings, strenuous practice and re-run sessions, focus and seeing your end goal. You have to put in the hours and good energy to reach your end goal.
2. Tenacity – In life you will face failure, maybe more times than once. And you have to keep trying. Use a different approach and learn from previous mistakes. You will find yourself achieving the goal your dreamt of.
3. Circle – More often than not, you have heard the phrases “the company you keep determines who you are”, “who you spend time with is who you become” etc. This is hard truth. The people you surround yourself with have a major influence on how you think, feel and act. Do people you spend time with help you become better at what you do? Do they hold you to a higher standard than you hold yourself? Do they believe in you? The answers to these questions must be a YES.
To be known all over the world and looked up to by so many people does not happen overnight. If you are wondering if your name will ever be read by thousands or millions of people one day, or if you hope to touch lives and be an inspiration to someone – believe me it’s possible. These women and millions across the world have broken barriers, they have faced rejection and doors were at some point shut in their face. Amongst other things their hard work, tenacity and circle brought them to where they are today and their names will go down in history’s books.
They did it. PHENOMENAL, POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL, you can too
Written by Ruth Sameke, an International Relations and Politics graduate with a monumental love for simple words turned into a read.Her blogging site is https://virtuousruth.wordpress.com