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United States: Finding Her Own Voice
"When
I was growing up, I thought leadership
was just for people with money or
fame, but I have learned that leadership
is not the position you hold. It's
the difference that you make in your
family and in your community."
- Deeqo Jabril, College Transition Project
Graduate and Citizens Scholar.
"It's been a long journey for me to
get where I am now. I am from Somalia, but
I had to leave because of the war there.
I lived in a refugee camp in Kenya, and came
to the United States in 1991 at the age of
13. Many people helped me, and that made
me want to help others. I went through a
lot, but it made me a better person.
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"I
want to be a role model for
Somali women so they can
see that women are not just
made to have babies. We can
also become effective leaders."
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"I'm the first one in my family to go
to college. My mother never went to school.
Many Somalis feel that educating girls is
not necessary. I have three children, ages
2, 6, and 7, who are my motivation. Some
of my own family members felt that I should
raise my children first and then get my education.
Every time I want to quit school, I think,
'How am I going to tell my son or daughter
that they need an education if I don't have
one?' I went to English High School in Boston,
but I didn't learn anything about going to
college there. Then I found the Bridge to
College program, a College Transition Project
partner. The program helped me with my
writing, math, and computer skills, and I
learned how to apply for college. Later,
World Education awarded me a scholarship
from Citizens Bank. Now I'm a mentor for
other Bridge students and a college graduate!
"As an immigrant, I never realized that
I had a voice. Then, in April 2007, I attended
the Commonwealth Legislative Seminar for
Minorities. I learned how laws are passed
and how to advocate for issues. I interned
with MA State Senator Jarrett Barrios. Every
time he had a committee hearing he invited
me to come along. That experience led me
to become even more interested in politics.
It made me realize I am somebody, and my
voice is powerful.
"A couple of years ago, I attended a
hearing to advocate for the Dream Act, which
would have allowed undocumented immigrant
youth to pay in-state college tuition. I
also volunteered for Governor Patrick's campaign,
trying to motivate other Somalis to register
to vote. That took persistence, because most
don't vote. At the beginning, they asked,
'Why should we vote? What's going to be different?'
I gave them examples of how elected officials
affect our lives. For example, the government
makes decisions about our rights at work
and our children's education.
"When I was growing up, I thought leadership
was just for people with money or fame, but
I have learned that leadership is not the
position you hold. It's the difference that
you make in your family and in your community.
My plan is to enroll in the Women and Politics
graduate program at the University of Massachusetts
and become a leader in my community. Eventually,
I want to run for office. I want to be a
role model for Somali women so they can see
that women are not just made to have babies.
We can also become effective leaders. To
me, advocacy means speaking up for what you
believe is right. Without advocacy, change
won't happen. The most important lesson I
have learned about speaking up is that, first,
you have to believe in yourself because if
you don't, you cannot be an effective advocate.
Then, you need to act on your beliefs."
Excerpted from The Change Agent,
March 2008. (www.nelrc.org/changeagent).
Learn more about the College Transition Project
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