Throughout my academic and professional career, I have encountered a special brand of empowered women who make it their mission to identify, nurture, and celebrate my talents and skills. One of my high school teachers interrupted our one-on-one lesson to show me a trailblazing African woman’s BBC Hard Talk interview; she said one day I would be powerful and speaking with as much conviction as that woman. My managers and mentors ask about my plans and invest in developing the skills I need to turn my dreams into reality. Once you have met them, that brand of women becomes unmistakable. They are outspoken about shattering glass ceilings and action-oriented about training women who can lead now and in the future. I could tell the room was filled with those remarkable women as I attended my first Professional Women, Women Executives and Business Women’s Forum (PROWEB) Women Achievers Awards Ceremony.
Celebrating intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs
In its 19th year of existence, PROWEB chose this night to celebrate 35 women of impact. Intrapreneurs within organisations and entrepreneurs running their own companies received awards, ranging from leading role models and outstanding achievements to businesswoman of the year. In an age of justified, widespread discourse around the importance of establishing new businesses to drive Zimbabwe’s economic growth, it was exhilarating to see that women who have chosen to cultivate their careers by staying within legacy companies were also honoured.
We must talk the talk before we walk the walk
I’ve heard many people say that they are jaded by women’s empowerment events because they can be platforms for words without results. Here’s my unpopular opinion – words matter too. Words, used well, can be a catalyst for inspired action. Through emphatic speeches, the women in attendance learned history – that PROWEB was formed because there was no platform for professional women in 2005; the future – that PROWEB envisions that women will control 52% of Zimbabwe’s economy; they were challenged to be the ones to effect change in their generation and were advised on practical opportunities to manage and grow their wealth within the organisation through a savings club and various joint ventures. Words wove together history, vision, motivation and a call to action.
The stage is set and I can’t wait to experience an even grander ceremony in 2025, as PROWEB marks its porcelain jubilee.
