SOURCE: nbcnews.com
POSTED BY: Julie Mayo, Thursday, September 19, 2013
-Celline Akinyi, 17, an African woman who built a grassroots fashion business to help support herself and empower other women (9/18/2013)
SOURCE: nbcnews.com POSTED BY: Julie Mayo, Thursday, September 19, 2013
9 Comments
Alejandra Villacis
9/24/2013 12:11:53 pm
I think this is amazing! It is encouraging to see how people are actually taking some action to stand up for their goals and beliefs, especially at such a young age. People like Celine are the ones who go far in life and I feel that women need to support one another to show that we are as capable as men (sometimes even more) in every single aspect.
Emily Echstenkamper
9/25/2013 09:14:32 am
I think the whole idea of the male/female dynamic is so interesting because there are so many drastically different views on it. There are those that feel they need to stick with traditions, but at the same time deserve equal treatment...these are two conflicting ideas. Then there are women like Celine, who aren't radically against the traditional view of gender dynamics but are so independent and aren't afraid to go against the cultural norms. This is a very bold and respectable statement.
Emma Lockwood
10/1/2013 06:34:22 am
I think this is a really awesome collaboration of tradition and innovation. This young lady is both respecting the institutions of the past, while also improving on mistakes in her culture. It takes a lot of courage to step outside the societal norm and she is successfully breaking the cycle of oppression.
Taylor Evans
10/1/2013 08:17:59 am
I absolutely love this quote. I remember talking in many classes about the issue of women's rights in other societies and becoming very frustrated. The culture in these societies is to have women "oppressed" by American standards, but can we really judge by our standards? I think its hard for us to understand that their way of life is different from ours, and that is okay. But at the same time, it is all about balance. Like the quote says, tradition can only go so far. Especially when women are just as capable, if not more capable, than the men around them. I respect her intelligence and her courage to stand up for what she believes needs to change in her society, while at the same time trying to stay true to who she is.
Alexis Jordan
10/1/2013 11:32:13 am
Over the summer I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to do mission work for women and children. There, I learned of a group of women who had previously been domestically abused by their husbands. They ran away and started this village and in order to make a living they made beaded jewelry. This business grew into a company, Kazuri, that now has locations worldwide. This just speaks to the amazing will and determination of African women. They fight against the stereotypes every day.
Emily Anderson
10/1/2013 12:23:14 pm
This quote is so inspiring. This young woman, still a teenager, is standing up against her cultural norms and fighting for women's rights. It takes a lot of courage to do something like that. She's taking a bold stand against fundamentally wrong beliefs while still trying to respect her culture. Clearly she is bold and not afraid to speak her mind. She truly is an inspiration, not only for women in her society, but also for women around the world.
Jackie O'Shaughnessy
10/1/2013 03:27:23 pm
What an excellent quote for inspiring young women everywhere. It is truly courageous of a woman like Ms. Akinyi to be brave enough to not only speak out against the popular beliefs of her culture, but to blaze the trail of change for the young women to come. She believes that equality is not enough - women must strive to be BETTER. She is taking advantage of her resources and creating something to empower young women.
Sarah Joelle Holstein
10/8/2013 12:07:50 pm
The innovation of African people, in particular the women, never ceases to amaze me. This kind of cultural advancement is the best kind-- something not dictated or forced upon 'ignorant savages' by some arrogant, imperialistic outside nation, but something born from the traditions of a people and made FOR the people and filled with their own values and ambitions.
Christina Boodee
11/13/2013 04:27:14 am
I greatly admire the young woman who said this! I believe that social equality is still one of the greatest issues plaguing our world. If gender inequality still exists in the United States, I can only imagine what is is like in less-fortunate countries. As this quote demonstrates, many countries try to play off gender discrimination as "tradition"--kudos to this young lady for speaking out against this excuse and for creating her own company to support herself and empower other women! Leave a Reply. |