The global sisterhood

Testimony about the importance of our project from Shaharzad Akbar (’09) from Afghanistan.

This is amazing. Please read this post and see the speech on utube for yourself (link below).

She says, in part . . . With the help from you and other loyal alumnae, Smith College provided financial support to me and my dear friend and country-mate Roya Mohammadi 2010 as soon as we arrived.'

. . . and . . . As a young educated woman from Afghanistan, most of my interactions in public had been with men; I had many educated male friends and most of my role models were men. In Kabul, to be respected in the masculine domains of work and education, I had always felt pressure to behave in a certain way. I had to work harder than everybody and constantly feel that my concerns were not addressed; that in some ways, I had to forget about being a woman in order to be accepted and successful. At that first Rally Day, sitting in Sage Hall and listening to the experiences of the amazing medal winners, tears of joy found their way to my eyes. I learned that it was okay to be a woman, to feel and to act like a woman in public, and that this was a strength, not a weakness. Leading an active public life would be challenging, but ultimately more rewarding, and I could do it just as all these remarkable women had done before me. I felt overjoyed and empowered. . . .

and perhaps best of all . . . "Leaving Smith, I carry with me the gift of being part of an inter-dependent global sisterhood of Smith faculty and alumnae who will support me, stand by me, and cheer for me throughout my life. It is an honor, a pleasure, and a blessing to be a Smithie. For me, it is no less than a miracle to have had the opportunity to grow and flourish in this supportive community.

Thank you for your part in making all of this possible. Tasha kur."

The full text is here: http://www.smith.edu/commencement/2009/ivyday.php

Update from Florentine Bambara

Dear Annie,

I graduated last Sunday and I got the Diploma in American Studies. You remember I told you that I was in this one year program for international students. Graduation and Ivy Day were very interesting. I didn't know it was very big event like that with alumna marching on Ivy Day...It was so beautiful. I met my friend who studied at Smith 10 years ago and is currently working in my country. She was here for her 10th reunion....

Now, I am waiting for the Master program in Teaching to start at the end of June. Right now, I am in the Smith College graduate house. Fortunately, I got a grant for my summer housing and the summer program. But by September, I have to pay for the graduate house which costs $6350. The stipend I got for the Teaching fellowship is $5955. I need around $400 to complete for the house. At the end, I got a loan for the financial office for the Insurance. I will have to provide for my own food and books...I am sure that God will solve everything for me as he has been doing for many years.

Best regards,



Florentine bambara
Diploma Student, 2009

Letter from Yelihan Fofanna, Smith junior, from Guinee Conakry

Dear Annie,

I am so sorry for responding so late. Thank you again for this opportunity. I am so grateful to be part of your project, as I have long thought about the absence of opportunities available to young students back home, and the economic future of my country. I am glad that your project provides me guidance, and a place for women like myself to share thoughts and stories about where we come and what we can do collectively to move forward.

I first heard about Smith College through my father, and through the information the Smith Website and the Princeton review provided me. To be honest, I wasn’t one of those students who did extensive research before applying to college, because I was more concerned with keeping my high school grades up, getting a good score on the SATs and studying for finals! So I would truly have to say that Smith found me as opposed to the other way around. When my acceptance letter came in the mail, I still didn’t know as much about Smith as I should have. I was lucky enough to visit the campus, and it was then that I realized that Smith College may just be the place for me.

I am originally from Guinée, Conakry, situated on the west coast of the African continent. The country has witnessed its share of political upheavals in the past few years, notably in the past year, after the death of President Conté resulted in a military takeover of the government. Currently, the country is run by army chiefs, who have failed to commit to the constitution by dissolving the parliament and by neglecting the democratic values the country is founded upon. Guinée possesses one half of the world’s bauxite reserves; unfortunately, government corruption and political instability have prevented the country from exploiting its outstanding mineral resources, thus crippling the nation’s economy. Witnessing the challenges my country has faced over the years and still faces has made me think about my future aspirations and my contribution to the betterment of Guinée. I am especially grateful to my parents for having foresight, and for giving us, their children, the chances and opportunities that my friends back home may not have had. And what continues to sadden me is the lack of guidance and the misinformation of young and like-minded students, who if given the same opportunities, would flourish in their distinguished fields.

My family moved to England in 2001. I am confident that without my parents’ decisions, I would have never heard of or applied to Smith. And I have to admit that Smith College has proven to be an exceptional place of learning, personal growth and self-discovery. I have just completed my sophomore year and am now a rising junior. I can’t believe two years have already passed. I am an Economics and Spanish double major, and am particularly interested in Economic Development and would love to return home one day and use my education to make positive impacts in my community.

Thank you again for considering me to be a part of your project. Let me
know if you have more questions.

Sincerely,
Yelihan Y. Fofana

The Fulfill the Potential Match for May!

Recognizing Smith's leadership in global education, Smith College Class of 1978 has challenged classmates to endow a scholarship fund for exceptional young women from developing countries.

It's the Merry Month of May, the flowers are blooming in Northampton, and I'll be posting an update about the wonderful international scholars who are at Smith soon. To get our fund off to a good start, I am asking everyone to contribute just $31, for the 3o years that have passed since we graduated. I will match every gift!

Will you join me by contributing to Smith to support our endowed scholarship fund? ----->don't forget to designate "Class of '78 Fulfill the Potential" in the "other" section of your donation and let me know! (Dr.Annie.DeGroot@Gmail.com). . . .

Here's the link: http://www.smith.edu/future/giving/online.php