Maame Afon Yelbert-Obeng
USA
I believe in the power of women and our collective ability to effect change.
I was born and raised in Ghana and have been living in the US for the past
12 years. Over the past decade, I have had the joy and privilege of working
to support initiatives that bring significant and meaningful changes to the lives
of women and girls across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). For five years I worked
as Programmes Officer for SSA at the Global Fund for Women, making grants
to support women’s groups. From early 2011 to June 2012, I worked with
Women’s Earth Alliance as the SSA Programmes Director, partnering with
Africa-based organizations to address climate change issues and promote
environmental and economic security.
I am passionate about building women’s leadership, with a specific focus
on facilitating transformative mentorship for young African women. Just as
important in my life is music - I am an accomplished singer and released my
debut album RISE globally in May 2012 in the US, kicking off an international
tour. RISE is an expression of the multifaceted woman that I am, an embodiment
of music and a message which transcends multiple genres, ranging from gospel
and inspirational to music for social justice. RISE pays tribute to the richness of
African music.
I call myself a feminist because I believe in the power of women and our
collective ability to effect change. Growing up with a single mother and several
aunties and female cousins, I saw how the women around me managed every
aspect of life - career, love, children, and all other societal obligations – with
strength, tenacity, versatility, a sense of humour and a forward-looking vision.
Juggling motherhood, work and all the different aspects that come with being
a woman, I am experiencing first-hand this beautiful story of being a whole
woman. As whole women we are free to bring all of who we are - our fears,
tears, triumphs, gifts, faith, talent etc., to all that we do, recognizing that what
we do is just as important as how we do it.
The fragmentation that exists within the women’s movement has the potential
to erode the gains that we have made. As we forge ahead, it is