2019 Pass it on Award Winner Spotlight: Odegua Ogunbor

Throughout history women have been conduits for change and have influenced policies and rights for a more equitable and just society. Odegua Ogunbor is no stranger to being a part of a movement for change:⁣⁠
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“I decided to become an engineer because I wanted to stand out as a woman doing something unpopular among women.”⁣⁠
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Odegua is a strong proponent of women entering the field of tech so that the people who build it mirror the societies for whom it is built. As a recipient of the AnitaB.org #Systers Pass it on Award in 2019, she was inspired to lead a mentorship project with her team at the Society of Women Engineers in Lagos Nigeria, where they worked with 70 undergraduate students majoring in STEM fields to provide an interactive seminar led by professional women in engineering and technology. Students were inspired by learning about the various ways women successfully navigated the challenges of male dominated-environments.⁣⁠
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“Women in engineering and technology are insightful, innovative and aware of the big picture. We are strong and have the tendencies to almost overcome any form of challenge, no matter how they appear. We are tenacious.”⁣⁠
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Odegua’s mission is to pass on the principles of leadership and influence to help young girls grow into tech leaders. With her own aspirations to be a woman of influence, Odegua is inclined to continue leading projects that deliver cumulative impact for all technical women.⁣⁠
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“My legacy is to be known and recognized as an influential woman in engineering and technology. I want my works to inspire other technical women to have the desire to help and support less advantaged young girls and women in their communities, through supporting them with platforms that will help them grow and establish their careers in engineering and technology.”⁣⁠
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While the applications for this year’s Systers Pass It On Awards are closed, you can learn more about the Systers community here.

This story was written by Crystal M. Cooper, Sr. GHC Program Manager at AnitaB.org. Connect with her on Linkedin.