This guest blog is by Ijeoma Nwatu, an intern in the AAUW Communications Department. She is a senior at George Mason University, where she is majoring in public administration with a minor in communications. She served as the student body vice president during the 2007–08 academic school year. She also attended NCCWSL in 2007. In the future, she expects to attend graduate school and later run for a political office.
Last summer, I attended the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) on behalf of George Mason University. The director of my school’s leadership office recommended that I attend this conference to help strengthen my skills as a leader and to prepare for my role as student body vice president.
The opportunity to meet other female student leaders from around the country in the nation’s capital over two and half days intrigued me. Most of the conferences I have attended do not specifically focus on women’s leadership, nor do they provide the chance to meet other successful women in a variety of professions.
At first, I was a little wary of the experience because I was the only student representative from my school. But I soon realized that this minor detail did not matter at all. I met girls who attended school as far away as Guam and were excited about meeting peers who were actively involved at their universities.
I remember the electric atmosphere when all of us were together for the welcome ceremony. Each student was given the opportunity to introduce herself to the entire group. The introduction was a bit nerve-wracking for me, but for some it was a piece of cake. I listened to women passionately describe their interests in government, helping others, raising families, continuing their education, and much more. Many of the stories were uplifting, while a few stories of struggles and hardships tugged at our hearts. By the end of the introductions, I had a better appreciation and understanding of what the conference was going to entail — and I still had two more days!
Sitting down at dinner with other female student leaders, asking questions to a slew of impressive female speakers, and being present at the Women of Distinction awards ceremony are just a few great memories of the 2007 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. I am most appreciative of the confidence I gained from NCCWSL because I know it helped me show and prove to others the pride I have for myself and my abilities. I am especially grateful that the conference provided me the opportunity to interact with so many different women. All in all, I met enough inspiring role models to blaze a path of my own for future female leaders. And for that, I am grateful and ready to take on that challenge.
