Tererai Trent- A Game Changer

By Juliana Makonise

Almost a month after her statue was unveiled, her’s is a story of hope and Indeed Life is like a rollercoaster. There are so many ups and downs in each and every moment of our lives but there is one attribute that sets us apart in our diverse hyper coasters. It determines whether we rise from the dust or we become permanently withheld by the dust. It is that same attribute that has made one courageous, bold and determined Zimbabwean- American educator one of the Ten most inspiring women in the world. Present-day, we celebrate her life through a Statue for Equality at New York’s Rockefeller Centre. HOPE, the game-changing attribute.

Tererai Trent’s life story began in a small town in Zimbabwe, Karoi. This is where she was shaped into the resilient and outspoken lady we see today. She was born in the ‘education for boys only’ era. She never got the opportunity to proceed with her education owing to her father’s decision to educate her brothers since she was going to be married off either way. At that time, it was regarded as a bad investment to send a girl child to school because it would bring no return once the child got married.  By the age of eighteen, she had mothered four children. Through all hardships, she eventually made it to the top. Ms Trent, a victim of abuse and child-marriage defied all odds. She stands tall today, with an honourable accolade for her immense work of fighting and advocating for gender equality.

After teaching herself how to read and write from her brother’s books, she surpassed even her brother’s scholastic ability. What drove her to have such determination? HOPE. Hopes of having a brighter future. Hopes of furthering her education. Hopes of helping another victim of abuse and child marriage. It was all in the name of HOPE.

Why live a stagnant life when HOPE can help you further your dreams?

Ms Tererai Trent A PhD holder. A health professor. An author of one of the bestselling books- “The Awakened Woman”. The founder of Tererai Trent International. A victor. A conqueror. A game changer.