Poem: The World Gives Her an Inch, She Takes a MILEAD
One mile is equal to 63,360 inches,
So walking a mile requires her to cover over 5,000 feet.
With only an inch given to you,
Now imagine walking a mile in her shoes…
On a road of racism,
A trail of tribalism,
A path of paternalism,
And a street of sexism.
But somehow this African Woman steps up to the challenge.
Like a Virtuous Woman, she thinks beyond a baby carriage.
She is no longer just a maid,
Her leadership is made.
From grass to grace,
Like lemons to lemonade.
If behind every great man there is a great woman,
Then behind every great woman there is a great story.
The girl who lived in a tent that grows up to be president.
The student not allowed in the classroom that ends up in the boardroom.
Society slings her disappointments, and she turns them into blessings.
The world gives her an inch, and she takes a MILEAD.
About MILEAD
Moremi Initiative for Leadership Empowerment and Development (MILEAD) is a program for engaging, inspiring, and equipping a new generation of African women leaders. The program features a one-year leadership fellowship that is designed to identify, develop, and promote emerging young African Women leaders.
Qualification
To be eligible for the one-year program:
- Applicant must be African, living on the continent or in the Diaspora;
- Applicant must agree to participate in all required activities related to MILEAD, including a 3-week residential Summer Institute in August; and commit to a community leadership service project;
- Applicant must be between 19 – 25 years of age.
It is worth noting that this is not a full-time fellowship. Selected candidates may remain full-time students or work full-time for the program duration, except during the 3–week Summer Institute. The institute is an intensive residential program, and all fellows will be required to attend. The rest of the program involves community-based, online, and other distance activities.
Application
For more information, visit the MILEAD website
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