This post was written by AAUW Fellowships and Grants Intern Bianca Zhang.
“Leadership is not accidental, but rather it must be nurtured with intention and purpose.”
For AAUW programs that promote the roles of women in leadership, politics, and policy, it holds true that greater effort leads to greater reward. And it is especially important to put this effort toward supporting women living in communities that typically disregard their voices. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg’s efforts to do just that are being recognized at the highest levels — she was recently honored as a 2012 White House Champion of Change for her work with Akili Dada, an organization that is devoted to empowering the next generation of African women leaders.
When she received her 2005–06 AAUW International Fellowship, Kamau-Rutenberg was at the University of Minnesota working on her doctoral dissertation, which focused on the barriers African women face in accessing decision-making positions. She realized the extent to which women’s voices were discounted and decided to establish Akili Dada, which she sees as a way of paying forward the wonderful opportunities and investments that others provided her to the next generation of African women.
Kamau-Rutenberg’s ultimate goal for Akili Dada is for it to become the premier leadership organization for women in Africa. She hopes to begin working with other organizations to create a continentwide network of women leaders who want to use their skills to impact Africa and the world. She acknowledges the difficulties she faces in creating this transnational sisterhood and recognizes the importance of funding social activism. “It makes a huge difference,” she says. “It’s easy to get disconnected from what it’s all about. It really is changing lives. It’s a rope across the river and enables us to build a bridge back across for the other.”
In addition to being the founder and executive director of Akili Dada, Kamau-Rutenberg is a dedicated wife and a mother of a 3-year-old son who, in her words, “has voice levels of loud and louder.” Although she is on a leave of absence from the University of San Francisco, where she is an assistant professor, she still retains a deep passion for academia.
Kamau-Rutenberg personifies selflessness, and it’s easy to understand why she has received numerous awards that recognize her compassion and dedication. “Being recognized [as a Champion of Change] is tremendous,” she says. “But even more so, we see the payoff when we look at the women we’re working with. The external recognition really reflects upon the way [Akili Dada] is making a difference for these women.”
For all aspiring activists, she has two pieces of advice. “Firstly, put one foot in front of the other. Move. Act. Do something. Second, remember that it’s not about you. Make sure your actions maintain a focus on the lives of the beneficiaries you’re supposed to be supporting.”
To anyone who is hoping to make the world a better place, Kamau-Rutenberg’s words are an inspiration — so stay true to those words, and put them into action!
Kamau-Rutenberg’s award was sponsored by the Joan Densmore Harberson International Fellowship and Juanita Teach Massa International Fellowship. The endowments, both from California, were created in honor of inspirational AAUW members and leaders.
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