The great rewards

I found myself talking to or writing about several African women who have recently won great awards and been recognised internationally for various contributions. These women include Josephine Okot, Muthoni Garland, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. The most interesting thing was that I learnt about or met these women after learning from the CNN/MultiChoice 2009 African Journalist commitee that my nominations in the categories of Art/culture and tourism had not made it to the list of 25 finalists. I was gutted. But I was also fluttered and encouraged by the thought that a couple of editors thought my writing skills are good enough. 

And now, as I think of what being at the award ceremony would be like for the six Kenyan finalists (all in broadcasting, and mostly from KTN) would have been like, I cannot stop thinking about what it takes to be a winner.

These women have taught me that it takes a lot of hard work and perserverence, and never giving up on a dream. Almost all of them have faced great personal tragedies and overcome them. In that sense, their difficult experiences have become steps to a better future.

This is for all women out there, believe in your dreams and do whatever you can to become better everyday. Don't give up, because...Yes, you also can!