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Young Leaders: Cultivating persistence and determination to create change

31 Oct 2024

Blog Post

In 2020, WOW launched the Young Leaders Directory, connecting inspiring girls, young women, and non-binary activists from across the globe. Since then, 149 incredible young leaders have been part of this movement for change!

This October, we’re celebrating their achievements and sharing their stories to inspire you to take action for a gender-equal world.

Want to learn more? Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to hear about these amazing young changemakers and how they’re shaping a brighter future.

They’re changing the world. Will you?

Cultivating persistence and determination to create change

By Jacobina Smith, Young Leaders Directory 2020, UK

My name is Jacobina Smith, and I am an aspiring leader in the inclusive sector with the Tulonga foundation. My journey into activism began through the guidance of my mentors, Ms Rosa and Ms Lilly , as a student leaving with a disability, I have have experienced firsthand the challenges faced by disabled, indigenous and underprivileged individuals, too often people like us are denied equal opportunities due to our backgrounds , physical limitations and financial status. This inspired me to advocate for those who share similar experiences and ensure they do not endure the hardships I faced when trying to pursue a career in medicine and other fields.

Being one of the WOW Young Leaders has been incredibly empowering. It has shown me that there are many people striving to create positive change and I have learned so much from my fellow young leaders, who continue to inspire me everyday. I am honoured to be part of The WOW Foundation and I am excited to further my learning and contribute to its mission. One of my proudest moments as an activist is witnessing the smiles on the faces of those we have helped, seeing individuals achieve their goals and dreams because of our advocacy is a profound reward that fuels my passion for this work.

As a young women living in a developing country like Namibia, I believe creating a better world
for present and future generations will be one of the greatest accomplishment we can strive
for. Educating parents about the importance of girl’s education is essential, as girls are the
future and builders of a great nation. This can only be realised through collective action and a
shared mindset as we work together toward our common goals.

To my fellow young people aspiring to become leaders , cultivating persistence and
determination to create change should be at the heart of your mission. The journey will not
always be easy, there will be times others will oppose your ideas. However, the path to build a
better world is challenging , but necessary and its certainly not a one man’s job. Together , we
can take action and embody the young leaders we are meant to be.