June 2010 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Welcome to our inaugural edition of WAAW Foundation's newsletter.

We value you as a WAAW friend, and hope that this newsletter will provide you with more information on our activities, progress and upcoming projects.

We look forward to the exciting times ahead of WAAW Foundation as we passionately pursue our vision to empower women in African through education. Do take time to read through our articles, visit our website, our facebook page and our blog and, please send us comments and feedback.

Sincerely,

WAAW Foundation

Texas Instruments Donates to WAAW

Texas Instruments Education Technology Group has donated 60 CAS graphing calculators to WAAW Foundation to help support its planned 2010 girls camp.

The gently used graphing calculators which were donated in April will enhance the understanding of math and science concepts for girls in secondary school through hands on activities, multiple representation of concepts, visualization of ideas, as well as assist with teacher evaluation.

WAAW Foundation plans to use the units in its first girls camp planned for later this year in Abuja Nigeria. We still seek donations of items as school supplies, computer and office equipments, textbooks, cuurriculum development and training.

A big thank you to Texas Instruments for supporting our work.

Speaking at WISE

WAAW founder Dr. Unoma Okorafor spoke at the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Conference at Texas A & M University in February 2010. The goal of the conference is to provide a forum for the exchange of information on the challenges women face in preparing for and pursuing successful STEM careers.

In her talk, Dr. Okorafor presented methods for achieving win-win negotiations, and introduced the vision and work of WAAW foundation.

WAAW in Markurdi

WAAW Foundation board member Ruth A. Aisabokhae took the initiative to organize a motivational seminar for women in Nigeria in collaboration with WAAW Foundation and other organizations. She recounts her impactful experience in her own words.

"Finally back to the grind, I want to share with you my brief but very fulfilling experience while back home in Nigeria. After some deliberations with the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics of my undergraduate alma mater, the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM) and using mostly the travel/ conference portion of my Faculty for The Future grant, I organized a one-day motivational-themed conference for young ladies 18+ and captioned it "Project Empowerment”.

Five well-respected and admired women who are achievers in their fields of endeavor with ages ranging from 29 to 55 (including my Mum!) were invited to join me on a panel where each of us spoke, shared part of our own personal experiences and answered a few questions. We had planned for a maximum of 150 but there were close to 300 participants though only 237 formally registered. It was said that this event was the first of its kind and never in the history of that town had people arrived that early and sat through an entire program.

The Nigerian Academic Staff of Universities Union (ASUU) had been on a nation-wide strike for several months and this situation was meant to be a deterrent to getting UAM female students to attend the event, nonetheless, it turned out to be for the better since we could make it open to the general public and therefore hosted ladies from over 10 institutions (currently attending and having attended). Everyone I have learned is a leader to her own unique group and when we realize how we influence and make an impact on those around us, it becomes a humbling but very enriching experience. This event was meant to be a small package to give back and of course an opportunity to visit with my family after almost three years but it turned out to be an experience of a lifetime."

2010 Scholarship Update

WAAW foundation's 2010 scholarship program is on course. Applications have closed, and the Scholarship committee is reviewing all applications. This year, we hope to offer three $500 scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be announced soon. Thank you for your support as we expand our scholarship program.

Amara Okafor, WAAW Scholarship Commitee Chair