Guest blog post by Heather Ramsey
There is so much anticipation and excitement within the TechWomen team here at IIE with the arrival of the TechWomen Emerging Leaders on Tuesday! The women have begun their long trips from home to San Francisco. I can’t believe that we will very soon meet these 78 amazing women selected from more than 1,800 applicants. And, we will get to know them, support them, and watch them evolve and grow this month and impact everyone with whom they come in contact! These are brave women who are entering the unknown. Of course, we do what we can to inform and prepare them, but really nothing can prepare them for what they are about to experience. They leave their homes, jobs, communities and families to embark on this journey together and with us – the mentors and team who will help support them, professionally and personally, as we welcome them into our community and lives.
During the month of October, TechWomen Emerging Leaders will work side-by-side with women at leading companies, attend cultural events, participate in workshops and learn from each other about their own diverse countries and experiences. They will discover the generosity of our community and the diverse and innovative culture of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. It is such a joy, privilege and unique opportunity to work with such a gifted, ambitious and inspiring group of women – the Emerging Leaders, the Mentors and also the dedicated TechWomen team here at IIE and at the Department of State.
This will truly be a life-changing experience for all of us. It’s a new beginning from which will emerge new friendships, partnership, careers, businesses, initiatives, and, for many, a new view of ourselves and our world. Together, we will build upon the TechWomen network created over the last two years, including women from new countries and a whole new region. The power and diversity of this network is extraordinary and should not be underestimated. There is real power in numbers and our collective dreams. Together we will change the world, making it better for our communities, especially girls and women, today and long in the future. Let the journey begin!
For nearly 20 years Heather has been designing and leading programs focused on NGO capacity building, social entrepreneurship, technology and gender equity in emerging markets and developing countries. Her longtime commitment to the rights, empowerment and welfare of women and girls has been reinforced by her role as a mother to her daughter and stepdaughter. Heather spearheads our efforts to expand our global network by initiating and managing partnerships with key stakeholders dedicated to TechWomen’s mission and IIE’s Center for Women’s Leadership Initiatives in San Francisco. @hramseysf
Thank you! I feel so humbled and amazed by the TechWomen Team, the amount of work that is put into this programme has been amazing. From the day that I was told I was successful they were there 24hrs a day making sure that this day would come, being here now I realize that the work is more than I had imagined and thank you so much. Our first day was ecstatic meeting the people behind the emails was amazing! Oh and meeting each other even more so after 3 months of talkingover the social media platforms created for us. It was like meeting people I had known my whole life. The first week has been excellent and I shiver with anticipation for what is to come! Most of the ladies have met with their mentors and I am even mores amazed, such successful, intelligent and successful Women taking their time to attend to our every needs! We just can’t believe it WOW, this programme is unique and makes the bost of both worlds, the Social part is filled with networking events which are promising greater collaborations, the workshops are filled with wisdom and encouragement, the Social activities are a GUILTY PLEASURE! The enthusiasm and energy that our mentors are showing us makes me feel like I want to give more and go beyond my boundaries and show them just how much I have and I can do.
I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be here today with such amazing people who take time from their work and families just to give us hope. I am particularly thankful to the TechWomen team and all those behind the scenes who were involved in the selection process. I had almost given up hope of following my dreams. As an African women with 5 children struggling to make a living but trying to follow my passions. Having suffered a lot of rejection and discouragement. I remeber applying for the programme but not expecting much. I saw just how much favouritism and nepotism kept robbing me of opportunities, at some point I nearly gave up on the application its self, I even decided to just write exactly what was in my heart with tears falling thinking how this would be the biggest opportunity and yet not knowing whether the selection process would be fair. Unlike most I did not research or ask anyone to proof read my essays I just wrote them down and copied them onto the application form. Boy was I amazed when I was shortlisted at the time I was pregnant with my fifth child and wondering whether the interviewers would consider me with my pregnancy more often than not I had faced a lot of discouragement because of being a mother or anticipating to be one, I remember at one time after a job interview which I knew I had done well and I was positive I got the job I was later told by someone in the organisation that the Director did not feel I could do the job because I had a new born Baby and the job involved a lot of travelling so She did not think I was suitable even after being the best candidate and yes it was a She, at some point I had to resign from my job to pursue my Masters because I could not be allowed study leave as it coincided with maternity leave, I just needed 2 months extra and I could not get it and yes the boss was also a she.
The journey to get to where I am has not been easy and I am even more touched by the stories my fellow TechWomen have to tell making my story even less serious. So I am amazed by the wonderful people who selected deserving young Women who each have a story to tell and who will sail to greater heights after this. Every one of them a jewel of success, hope and Womanhood ready to make a change and take a stand! All of them true Leaders, i am grateful to be amongst them and to know them. Keep watching this space because you have been introduced to the movers and shakers of Africa and the Middle East!