It is difficult to turn life around. We all know this in
some form or another, either through big challenges that we need to overcome, or small changes that seem huge.
Some of us come from humble beginnings, some of us face
hardship in all sorts of ways but learn to overcome them, others pave their way
towards a self-set dream with such energy that it inspires others. And depending on the region you grew up in,
or the supporting (or not) family background you got, opportunities are either
vast or limited and opportunities to turn one’s life around are multiple or
rare.
My friend Ronda Zelezny-Green took
her fate in her own hands and turned it into something bigger (thanks to the
support of just a few people, including inspirational teachers). Now, she – among twenty
other inspirational young people – just got nominated for the International TenOutstanding Young People Awards, an award organised by the United StatesJunior Chamber (JCs or more commonly Jaycees) nominating people
between the ages of 18 and 40 in areas of business development, management skills,
individual training, community service, and international connections.
Every nation has its heroes. Inspirational men and women directing their own lives towards new horizons, helping themselves AND others while they are at it. So, vote for those people whose work you find
inspirational, and give them an additional boost through your online vote.
Ronda Zelezny-Green is my favorite and I voted for her by
clicking on the like button on her page (facebook membership is needed). But I
admit to voting for some others too, as support is good energy to share. So
please take a look at all of these 20 wonderfully inspirational people that are nominated here.
Ronda inspires me, simply because I know the work she does (combining
educational technology and gender) and above all because of the person she is. She is one
of those persons who take people as they are, no matter what age, schooling,
background, connections … if you talk to her a dialogue develops that fills you
up with energy and motivation. She inspires, listens and supports. She grew up
in a tough region of Tampa, Florida and is now traveling the world improving
education for all.
As a young professional she was a teacher guiding kids who faced rough conditions, now
she researches and propagates educational opportunities to young girls (she
started in Kenya) who’s educational journey faces regular interruptions and
challenges. She uses mobile learning
options to create durable educational support among young female peers. To
achieve this, she does not push those solutions onto anyone, no, she looks at
how people develop their own solutions and then Ronda investigates whether
these solutions can be used in other contexts, to help more youngsters… and it
works.
