I Am A Leader

It was my first day within the four walls of the university. And there I stood, hoping to be elected to lead my 340 classmates. Up till this moment, I barely remember the content of my nervously delivered manifesto. All I remember are the hundreds of questioning gazes. Yes, I remember the silent doubt screaming at me: Can YOU, a woman lead us?

As the votes were being counted, I began to converse with myself in my shaky mental voice. Why was I doing this?

The summon to DARE screamed louder than the doubts. For me, it was a higher calling to challenge status quo...a golden assignment to clear the path for generations of young women coming after me.

The wild screams jolted me back from my deep rumination. I had won the election!

The mandate of the majority had endorsed me to lead as the first ever female Class Governor elected in the Faculty of Law. A 50 year old tradition had been questioned. Gender had finally been crossed off the unspoken leadership checklist.

I am a Leader....I defy the odds.