5 Inspiring TED Talks From Powerful Women

Starting with an intention sets the tone for the rest of the week. Here are five inspirational TED Talks from powerful black women that will help you put your best foot forward

Why we should all be feminist

This talk by internationally acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is about why everyone, man and woman, should be feminist. Adichie talks about how women should emancipate themselves from societal expectations that limit them. Excerpts from this talk were featured in Beyonce’s rallying girl power song, Flawless. No one can forget the now famous words:  

“We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls,
You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man.”

Unlock the intelligence, passion and greatness of girls

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Liberian peace activist Layman Gbowee talks about the importance of unlocking potential in women. Gbowee believes that the world can be transformed by empowering young girls. Across the world, young women and little girls still have to face disempowering practices, such as early marriage, genital mutilation and limitation of education. Gbowee talks about all the good things that happen when women are affirmed and encouraged.

A girl who demanded schooling

Kakenya Ntaiya made a deal with her father that if she underwent the traditional Maasai genital circumcision ritual, she could go to  high school.  Her story is about continuing on to college and of working with her village elders to build a school for girls in her community. It’s the educational journey of one who altered the destiny of 125 young women.

Rewrite your history

The older we get, the smaller our world seems to become. As children, we were able to change our minds about what we wanted to be every single day. As adults, social expectation and fear limit our dreams. April Thompson, writer and actress, talks about the importance of being able to recreate yourself. “When you are the author of your story, there are no limits,” she says

Shit happens. Clean it up and move on!

Beatrice Achaleke gives an informative and enlightening talk about “shitty” situations in her life and explains a very valuable system called “Globuntu”, which empowers you to get through hard times with dignity and thankfulness.

source: destinyconnect