Our Future Leaders: Another She’s the First Update!
By Karley Powell
It’s been over a year since our campaign for girls’ access to education, A World Without Hermione. In addition to grabbing attention with our Hogwarts Waitlist Letters, the campaign also raised $14,582 for She’s the First (STF) to support girls who will be the first in their families to graduate high school. Since the campaign, these girls have had the chance to go to and excel in their own real life versions of Hogwarts all around the world!
The scholars now send us owl updates twice a year to share a bit about what they are learning and their thoughts on how global issues impact their communities. Previously, they updated us about their thoughts on climate change.
This time the scholars discussed their thoughts on representation in national governments, leaders in their communities, and how they plan to be great leaders. Some wrote letters, and others chose to send drawings.
This first update is from scholar and leader Mihiret in Ethiopia. In her letter, Mihiret wrote about her love of reading (us too, Mihiret!) and talked about possibly going into politics one day.
Scholars like Yeanoh in Sierra Leone have been able to learn about the taboos and myths around menstruation and learn about iconic female African leaders around the world. In Yeanoh’s letter, she discusses how more women should become leaders. “More women should get education in our community. It will make women able to represent us in the community. If we have more women learn, it will also make the men change the thinking that they are better.” Changing minds changes the world — right on, Yeanoh!
Kamala is a scholar in Nepal and wrote about how she is a good leader. “I think I can be a great leader to the world.” We think you can, too, Kamala!
Another scholar in Nepal, Laxmi, explored how she could be a great leader through her letter. Laxmi talked about the responsibility of a leader and the importance of leaders who give an equal chance to all people. Seems like you’re already teaching people the right thing, Laxmi!
Swastika, a scholar in Nepal, shared in her letter how she has learned to become a better leader and how leaders can have an impact on the people around them. She’s already a leader for the people who offers this advice: “Leader is a person who work hard for their family, friend etc. and leader is a person who think positive and responsible to their duties so that people can live their happy life.”
Scholars in Nepal like Anjana were able to participate in a recent poetry slam in honor of Bhangra Bahia Acharya, the first famous poet to write in Nepali instead of Sanskrit. Anjana drew another woman leader that she admires, her mother.
Alisha, a scholar in Nepal, drew a picture of her mother, who cares for her and her family. Like Anjana, Alisha admires her mother as a woman leader!
Scholars in Uganda, like Christine, are all ready to be great leaders like Hermione Granger — they can even become prefects in their school! Christine wrote her letter on equal representation in order to have an equal world. In this letter, Christine pointed out the ways in which women participate as leaders in their local village and school.
Finally, another scholar in Uganda, Rose, tackled equal representation in her letter as well. Rose pointed out that there is no equal representation in their local government and communities, but believes that there should be. “Women should be given powers to do all that is good to help people.” Right on, Rose!
We are excited to hear these young leader’s thoughts on inequality in leadership. Thank you to every wizard activist and HPA donor who has cheered the scholars on. We can’t wait to keep getting updates and to see how these real life heroines change the world!
