The stairwell leading to the fourth floor of one Harpswell dorm is lined with pictures of the girls. At the ground level, you see the faces of current students, and as you climb up you begin to read about the successes of different alumnae. The photo trail opens into one large, simple room on the top floor. There's a projector, some chairs, and a pile of cushions to accommodate when all seventy-some girls gather for the monthly leadership seminar.
A leadership seminar may include outside speakers, discussions of leadership skills and qualities, challenges unique to women, Cambodia's history, or even profiles about women leaders of the past.
Along the walls, framed posters of these inspirational figures look down on the girls hoping to earn a spot up next to them. It fits that the room is called the Hall of Women Leaders.
The selection of female icons ranges from Wangari Maathai (founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya) when you first walk in, to Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter and feminist) in the opposite corner. Nimah Nawwab (a writer, photographer, and voice for Arab women) faces perpendicular to Sandra Day O'Connor (the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court), and the group of gal pals goes on.
I really hope there's some Harry Potter or Night at the Museum voodoo going on, so that all these heroes come to life and chat together. A girl can dream.
I'm planning to highlight the women on these walls and go into more detail in future posts. These ladies demonstrate what empowerment can look like across disciplines and across the world.
Thanks!