I opened my eyes and looked at the clock, it's 6:30am. I am still exhausted and want to stay back in bed but I look at my phone and I'm screaming because of the US election results.
Not many people believed that Kamala Harris would become America's first female, first Black and first South Asian vice president-elect of the United States of America.
Reading a story today about Kamala Harris made me think again about the importance of teaching every young girl what it means to be self-confident and what happens when preparation meets opportunity. I always chip in words of encouragement (especially on building one's self-confidence) for young girls during InspireIT workshops because majority of these girls especially in rural areas lack self-confidence as a result of what the society has conditioned their minds to believe.
In most cases, as a young girl and as a grown woman; you need a lot of self-confidence to thrive in a family/village/community/society that says you cannot be what you want to be, that cannot support you, that places you as a second citizen to a man no matter how experienced, educated or hardworking you are.
In 2016, Hilary Clinton vied for the highest position in America and even though she did not win, it set a pace and made many women all over the world believe that it was possible for a woman to achieve anything and contest for any position she desires. Indeed, Kamala Harris has shattered "that glass ceiling" for all girls and women. I know there will be many more "glass ceilings" that will be shattered in the future by many women as a result of her footprints.
Yes, we have Madam Vice-President! A woman being a vice-president in America is a "big deal" and we look forward to the day a woman will become the president.
It's not always easy as a young girl or as a grown woman working your way to the top but one message I always pass across is "Let your challenges spur you to greater things rather than make you wither."
God bless America.
Dear Adanna, I have been receiving congratulations from women of other countries. The strange thing being here in the USA, we aren't doing a lot of congratulating ourselves. It's really anticlimactic here. No high fives of "we did it" going on. And shame on us! It just proves that the work has been done, but there is so much more to do. Kamala Harris being a Black Asian woman for Vice President is definitely being noted in the press. She's from California. And I'm in California. We are minimizing it or have already normalized it. And again, shame on us!
Dear Jomarieb,
It's disheartening but it will not take away the fact women are shattering glass ceilings!
Sending you lots of love and light,
Adanna
Oh the ceiling is shattered for sure. And please don't be disheartened. Sometimes it takes a moment to sink in when there is so much going on that is at stake. New president, getting rid of the current one, pandemic, unemployment, lack of healthcare etc. The new admin is doing a headstart and getting busy.
The bubbly will flow on January 20th for us all. That's the official starting date. That's what we are really waiting for. And it cannot happen soon enough. We will dust off and shine. With your love and light, the shine will be bright!
Hugz sister...JoMarie
Dear Sis,
We are looking up to you out there and I personally think for now it's still so surreal for some.
We high five each other virtually, and many young girls all over the world can dream and hold on steadfast to their dream now
light and love
Marie
Thank you for this beautiful reflection, Adanna! I love the quote you closed with: "Let your challenges spur you to greater things rather than make you wither." Holding this message close as we in America celebrate this moment and look ahead to the work we must continue to do. Onward!
Dear Emily,
Thank you so much.
Yes! Onward indeed :)
Love,
Adanna
Hello Adanna,
Yes it is phenomenal and a massive change in the great US of A!
It is dear Nini :)
Love,
Adanna
courage et merci d'avoir partager votre histoire, c'est intéressant !
Merci beaucoup sis.
Heartiest congratulations! Let more women be inspired and motivated to smash the glass ceiling following kamala's example. America will soon probably have its first female president, meanwhile we women shall continue to support, uplift and encourage each other.
Thank you dear Debanshi!
Yes! We shall continue to support, uplift and encourage each other.
Love,
Adanna
Dear Adanna,
It as been extra sweet to read the excitement of women around the world, at the news of Kamala Harris being the first woman, first Black and South Asian woman as well, to become vice president-elect of the USA. I feel the shift and celebrate every one of us who is lifted by this news. Hooray for the women of the US who stood behind her and made sure that this would happen.
Love,
Tam
Dear Tam,
Yes, it's such an exciting news!
I feel so happy to be alive to witness this moment and many more that will come as a result of this great change. :)
Indeed, hooray to the women (and men) championing this shift in US.
Love,
Adanna
Dear Adanna,
You captured it all. I personally could see myself getting into public office in my country at this rate. I am so proud of us women especially of trailblazers like Kamala Harris.
Keep inspiring your mentees and us all to
In sisterhood
Marie
Dear Marie,
I look forward to that day. I will definitely cheer you all the way :)
Thank you sis.
Love,
Adanna
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for reading dear Metiege :)
Yes Dear Adanna, i can feel your sharing . Indeed its a great success of women all over the world. Love , anjana
Dear Anjana,
It is very exciting to see the changes we pray for happening gradually.
Indeed sis, it is a great success for women all over the world :)
Love,
Adanna
Dear Sister Adrianna,
Thank you for writing !
Yes is it truly not easy as a young girl or woman working your way to the top .
Especially in a society like ours where a girl child is viewed as inferior to the male gender .
I came across a tweet made by a certain guy recently and I cringe at such dirty statement stating that the USA VP elect Kamala Harris slept her way to the top . This kind of statement and many more breaks our spirit
I have read through Ms Harris' profile and I am so thrilled by her strength and achievements .
It is high time we started teaching our girls self confidence because truly we need a lot of it to thrive .
I love your parting words " let your challenges spur you to greater things rather than make you wither" .
Lot of Love
Thank you dear Jo!
There are some men who find it difficult to accept the fact that there are successful women who can work their way to the top. Instead of celebrating such women, they find a way to downplay their achievements but that will not STOP women from rising to the top or aspiring to greater heights. :)
Love,
Adanna
Sure!!Kamala has set pace to us to take up many more leadership roles as women. It's very possible
Yes! Thank you Lilian.
Love,
Adanna
Hello my dear Kamala!
I know that courage, self-confidence and vision make continuities in a person's life. if at least we have these three things are essential points to move forward in life. he only needs to take courage and he will have a success
Thank you dear Mugoli. :-)
May we all live to see the day USA will have its first woman president. :)
Thank you for writing this piece, dear sister Adanna! We are celebrating with you. :D
Oh yes! That's my prayer too dear sister Karen :)
Thank you.
Love,
Adanna
YES! Praying with you, sis.
As a woman in the US I certainly echo this sentiment. While it may not be the central headline of the election, it does feel like a seismic shift in America. I am so proud we have opened that door to women. Thank you for your inspiring messaging around this!
Thank you dear Emarxen!
Love,
Adanna
Super Amazing. Thank you for sharing sister Adanna.
Thank you for reading dear Anum. :-)
Love,
Adanna