Women in Power
Growing up in northern Tanzania, tourism had always been part of my life. My father worked as a safari driver-guide, and I watched travellers from around the world experience the beauty of my country through his eyes. I saw firsthand how tourism could transform lives, not only for visitors, but also for local families and communities.
That dream stayed with me for years.
Leaving a successful career was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. Walking away from stability and entering entrepreneurship meant stepping into uncertainty. There were moments filled with excitement, but there were also many moments filled with fear.
You are seeing perhaps one tenth of what they are carrying. Right now, women in your life — your colleagues, your employees, your peers — are showing up, performing, delivering, while quietly managing things that would flatten most people.
My mother did this her entire life. I did it for ten weeks caring for her. And I will do it again, because this is what the women before me taught me: that you don’t put things down just because they’re heavy.
Then, the world tilted. A severe injury didn't just sideline me; it ripped me out of the water entirely. The impact was more than physical; it was a total eclipse of the soul. For months, the light went out. I felt adrift in a dark chapter where my identity—once tied entirely to the surf—had vanished into the foam.
On the surface, delegation sounds simple: understand the task, assign responsibility, move on. But after 18 years as a woman in construction and engineer, I understand things differently. Leadership taught me quickly that delegation isn’t really about tasks. It’s about self-awareness.
As a woman in construction, I don’t want to work like a man—I want to work as a woman, within my capacity and knowledge, and be respected and safe in my work environment. That should not be too much to ask. I always say: “When women support each other, incredible things happen!
Over the past decade, the work accomplished through STEMblazers has been both meaningful and inspiring. The organization has grown through the dedication of countless women who share a commitment to supporting young women. Their mentorship, leadership, and passion have built a community I wish I had when I began my own career, one that many women have said they wish they had as well.
Much like a holiday song, "to what to my surprise!" when I walked on the shop floor and saw six young women in a class of 15. This was significant for two reasons...
It’s been 20 years since that demotion, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me professionally.
And it all started because I said yes to me.
Growing up, I always knew I was a little different than the kids around me.
