I got to know about the Tri-College Institute when I saw a poster at the Women Studies Department on my campus at SCSU. I was excited about everything that was on the poster. I am very passionate about politics, leadership, public service, community service, and women in particular. I showed my interest and my professor in Women Studies Department and she encouraged me to apply. I then started my application and half of me was not sure I would get accepted because I knew it would be so competitive. I think the lesson I have learned is that in life, it is okay to try. I have learned to try for opportunities even if it was extremely competitive. An example would be an application to Harvard.

It took me a while to apply, but I later submitted my application even though I almost missed the deadline because I was so busy with school, organizations, and conferences. I submitted and then waited anxiously for the response to my application. I would admit that I was positive and was waiting for a positive reply. I was so excited about getting a positive response and I was ready to pack my things and prepare for the Institute. I had no way of getting to Moorhead, but I was positive. I think another lesson is to always stay positive no matter what is happening in one’s life. I did not find a way to get to the Leadership Institute until a few days before the program when the organizer asked Lani Suarez if she could take me and she said yes. I was so happy and grateful everything worked out.

I got to the Institute and met so many amazing women. I felt at home in Concordia College, and what made me feel at home was the warmth of the women who were around me. It was meant to be for me to be there at the Institute. I met another Nigerian named Nuela Enebechi and she was so passionate about helping girls code in Nigeria and working with technology. I also met Kate Diro, who has such a wonderful smile. I also met Lisa Seo, who is so confident in herself and I really appreciated that because she helped me learn how to be more confident too. I also met Morgan Hilton who was so positive and she supported me so much. My roommate, Alheen Mahmud, was so amazing and she helped me stand up for myself. She made me see myself as an independent and strong woman and not have to put up with people who do not provide me positive energy and support. I really commend all the women who attended the Tri-College Institute because it takes courage to better one’s life and spend time focusing on personal and professional development.

I loved everything about the Institute because I learned so much. Day 1, we had a public speaking workshop, community activism, and social change panel, and I did my one on one’s. I enjoyed my public speaking workshop because it forced me to talk to someone I did not know and I pushed myself out my comfort zone. That was great because I got to sit down and interview two amazing women and talk to them about their lives. Day 2, we had a session called Interfacing with Traditional and New Media, another session called Anti-Oppression, and then we started working on mock action plans for the press conference. The Anti-Oppression workshop was so amazing because everyone interacted and had great conversation. It taught me a lot about my identity and how to appreciate the diversity around me. I gained a lot of knowledge about the oppression people face and it made me understand more about my own identity and how to not let others bring me down, because I know I am part of the human race not what society classifies me as. Day 3, we had some workshops and they were Public Policy Advocacy, Emerging Leaders Panel, Forming Effective Community Collaboration and Partnerships, Preparing the Seed Grant Proposal, and Representative Peggy Flanagan’s keynote address. I loved Peggy Flanagan’s speech because she had been through a lot and she was very positive and funny. She was an inspiration to me and other women. She was so humble. I met Representative Erin Murphy who is also another woman I look up to. Day 4, we had an introduction to running for public office, stump speech, and women and electoral politics. I spoke on stage and I was so excited about it and I was not as nervous as I used to be. I felt so empowered because I was motivated by the other women. I also learned how to believe in my gifts and my message. Day 5 was the last day and I was emotional because I never wanted to leave. The last day was when we had our mock press conference and said our goodbyes. I made so many friends at the Institute and also added them on social media and I connected with all the women. I love being around positive women who have big goals and ambition like me. I am really looking forward to seeing these women in future. I love seeing strong women because I aspire to be a strong woman who stands strong in herself no matter what people say. I have learned from being around all these great women and I believe in myself to also be great. I am very passionate about my goals and no one can stop me from achieving them. I believe success comes from hard work, passion, clear life goals, and focus.

I really am grateful to the organizers for letting me be part of the Institute. I left being more confident, stronger, and more passionate about public speaking and writing. I was empowered by the positive energy in the room and I was motivated by every woman that attended the Institute because they all have amazing vision and clear goals. It challenged me to always seek out positive motivation and let go of anything that no longer serves me or my purpose. I got more confident and stronger from this experience. I would forever remember the women at the Institute. I learned to stand up for myself and not tolerate any negative people in my life. I also learned to take each day as it comes and keep growing as a leader. Life is a learning process and I will always teach myself how to be a better person and leader every day. I also learned that being a woman leader is not a disadvantage, it is actually even more empowering and powerful.