Author Damarea Ogbuewu Gives Self-Love Advice to Young Women

Damarea Ogbuewu may only be a high school student, but her impact is so great, she has already been dubbed “the voice of her generation”. She has spoken out about having support about love in any shape or form. She also got a chance to interview Nigerian senator Zainab Abdulkadir Kure.

But most importantly, she’s encouraging young people to make informed political opinions and engage in civic action. “There is this assumption that young people have to stay quiet, and then when they turn 18, they automatically have to make fully formed opinions,” she told Next Generation in August of this year. “….That is why you must find a way to learn where you stand without worrying about what society thinks.”

Introducing her onstage, journalist Tara Dwelling said, “I’ve met a few young people in my life, who as young as they are, still find a way to speak out. Damarea is one of those young people. Clearly Damarea Ogbuewu is not a typical high school student .— she’s a monumental civic activist and teacher to young people. “Try to be aware of what’s going on in the world, so that you can make a better call when you are on your own. It’s great to be independent. Just be intelligent with your decisions.”

Tara Dwelling asked Ogbuewu, “What advice would you give to young girls who believe that beauty means being flawless and perfect?” Ogbuewu responded with, “Beauty comes in so many forms. Nobody is perfect, so don’t let commercials that include filters and photoshopped pictures define how you see yourself, and how you carry yourself. You don’t need to wear makeup or photoshop your picture. You must see yourself as beautiful before you can expect the world to.”