Written by the amazing Shekinah Taderera, one of our 2018 Leadership Competition winners, sponsored by AgriFutures Australia.
In the year of 2018, I did not expect to be blessed with a trip of a lifetime nor was I ready for my perception towards leadership to be changed. After, the many events that we experienced during the trip I realised a change in my mindset concerning my future. Being young and female doesn’t have to feel like a burden. My future doesn’t have to be dictated by statistics or old fashion stereotypes.
During the trip, I was able to network with amazing leaders and women in powerful positions. The one phrase that kept coming up and which stayed in my mind was “Find Your Tribe”. Being around like-minded girls who have the same passions allowed me to see that my interests and skills are universal. By working together with people who have the same goals we have a chance to progress better as we lift one another up. Looking towards the next few years, I will be moving away from home and starting University. I feel enabled to pursue my ideas, the ones that I was once told were unattainable for someone like me and just dreams. I know that they can become reality due to a few days being exposed to opportunity and surrounded by people who believed in my worth. I am exceptionally grateful towards C2C and all the sponsors for helping me find this confidence. I truly believe that if every girl grew up with this kind of empowerment, we would see a rise in leaders, advocates and much needed change. If this is the future, we wouldn’t need to be told that we have potential, we would already know and that is the most powerful weapon for change.