Olutosin Oladosu Adebowale lives a life of a perfect sister for other women including myself and shows by example that a woman can be a woman's best friend defying patriarchal propaganda that positions women as women's worst enemies.
In little over a decade I have known her on World Pulse, she has been a shoulder to cry on, a person who would celebrate successes of other women and World Pulse women, provide for them- did you know her birthday celebration every year revolves around buying brand new party dresses for 200 orphan girls, women and children who she dresses and feeds, pampers and makes them happy about their lives, advises them on their career growth and nominates them for fellowships, courses and speaking opportunities where religion, race, ethnicity, nation and age-group does not dicate her act of love. I have been refered by her for Coady's course and I know more than dozens of women who were sent to Kanthari, Coady's and other premium institutions of women's empowerment training and mentoring. Olutosin is not just remarkable for herself and a super achiever but she has devoted her efforts to make other women and girls be their remarkable version too.There is one quality of hers that is the most important is her ability to forgive and forget other's shortcomings; no matter how much they may have hurt her, her leadership is never taking a back seat. For Olutosin sisterhood is not limited to individual woman's relationship to herself but the long term goal of World Pulse's vision to nurture leadership among women and build a worldwide network of support system for women. She is a World Pulse woman all the way. For the embodiment of the most beautiful sisterhood value that resides within the fabric of her being, I nominate Olutosin from Lagos in Nigeria for the World Pulse Sisterhood Spirit Awards.
A very personal and endearing episode in my life was when I took the flight to Nigeria to meet Olutosin after six long years and like any international trip that comes with its own set of anxiety, I too had some anxiety about being able to not miss my connecting flights, finding my way, maintaining communication with Olutosin who offered to pick me up. She was also hosting me with her for one whole month during which she shared her work, initiatives, beneficiary community and gave me an opportunity to explore my interest in menstrual health in Nigeria.
Her words are etched in my mind. She said:
" If you lose touch with me due to wifi issues or phone related issues do not worry. I will be standing at the arrival. Do not worry, okay, sister, you shall find me standing at the arrival of Lagos International Airport. And I will be there till I find you I am not returning home without you."
And that is Olutosin. Dependable. Rock-solid reliable.
I wish all of us can be half as much as Olutosin and then every woman would have a sister, friend, advisor, support system, encourager, professional consultant and cheer leader.
Link to her World Pulse profile:
https://www.worldpulse.com/community/users/olutosin
Olutosin is a World Pulse board member, changemaker, multiple award winner, fabric artist, social enterpreneur and citizen journalist.
Hello Urmila,
Aw, you two have the best ever friendship, and truly embody what sisterhood is... you both rock and so does your friendship...ha:-) Thanks so much for your nomination and for sharing your love with us for Dear Olu:-)
Dearest sister Jill,
We have been friends but that does not make me escape Olutosin's quality as a sister for other women on World Pulse and beyond. I am fortunate to have met women like Olutosin who changed my life forever. World Pulse is that special place in this big wide world :) :)
Love and hugs
Urmila Chanam
India
Hello dear:-)
Yes, you are! Yes, it is... I agree:-)
XX
Awwwwwwwww thanks soooooo much my lovely Angel. You are much more than this to me. I will always cherish you and our friendship.
My precious sister,
I hope we can xerox you or clone you so we never lose the essence of what you reprsent. I am blessed to have your friendship and sisterhood. Never change a inch about you. Wishing you lot of love on Christmas from me and my daughter from Bangalore, India.
Prayers,
Urmila Chanam
India
Wow Urmila , you have nominated good person.
Dear Anita,
Thanks so much for reading my nomination and agreeing that Olutosin deserves it and much more. Its Christmas time and the tradition is to give gifts to our loved ones. World Pulse has given us a great opportunity to celebrate Christmas through these gifts of nomination. Merry Christmas, sister!!
Love and hugs from India,
Urmila Chanam
Hello Urmila,
It’s so sweet of you to nominate sister Olutosin!
You are both a great example of a strong friendship and sisterhood.
I mean this is worldpulse!! it connects sisters from different worlds.
Thank you for sharing your nomination for the worldpulse spirit awards.
Regards,
Dear sister Zohra,
These connections are deeper than other online interactions because the value of World Pulse is deep. Wish you a merry Christmas sister!!
Much love
Urmila Chanam
Oh exactly dear !
Thank you.
Best wishes.
I second this nomination for Olutosin! I feel deeply that she is my Sister even though we live thousands of miles apart. I admire her courage and empathy not only toward her African Sisters in need but also their families as well as her campaigns for feminine health and education. Count me in ❤ ❤
Dear Treena,
Indeed, Olutosin is the caretaker of not just African sisters but Indian and Asian sisters and their families especially their children. Thank you for loving Olutosin as much as I admire her.
Wish you the best,
Urmila Chanam
Hi Urmila,
How are you? Hope you are doing very well. Thanks very much for the nomination of our dearest sister :-).
I have always love her art work. Seeing pictures on Facebook. I also think she is hard working :-).
Best wishes dear on your nomination.
You all have a great time in the next week or two.
Greetings
Dear Lisbeth,
Thank you for asking me about my welfare. I have been travelling since September to far flung rural regions in eastern India on work and practically, living out of a suitcase. And it's been one of the most enriching experiences of my life reporting on agriculture festivals and indigenous people. Thank you for your warm wishes. Wish you a merry Christmas sister.
Love and prayers,
Urmila Chanam
Oh I see, exhausting :-).
You are welcome and thanks
Lizzy
Hello, sister Urmila,
It is so lovely to read this post about who Olutosin is. We all love and respect her as much as we love and respect you.
Thank you for participating in the Spirit Awards! Merry Christmas, dear!
Karen, thanks for being a loving sister to me and everyone else. I love you.
You’re welcome, my darling sister. I love you more.
Dear Sis Urmi,
Thank you for sharing this special part of your journey with Sis Olu with us. Indeed, she's a worthy sister everyone would be glad tto have.
Love and hugs to you.
Sister Arrey-Echi, I feel fortunate to be in such a loving and encouraging sisterhood where each one of us is of help, advice and support to each other. Wish you a happy 2020 my sister.
Olu is such an inspiration and you two have an amazing friendship. Lots of love.