By, Meera Dahiya

In honor of the 2020 International Day of the Girl theme: “my voice; our equal future,” The Fem Word Team shared a perspective about what their education has meant to them and the valuable lessons that extend beyond just academics.

Meera Dahiya, high school graduation, 2020

As a freshman in college, and through my experience working with a school for underprivileged girls in India, I’ve come to see that education is a necessary first step to building a world where all children, regardless of their gender, have the opportunity to follow their dreams and aspirations for the future.

Outside of academic knowledge, my education has given me self confidence. It has given me the confidence to communicate effectively and convincingly, and it has also given me the confidence to advocate for myself. Through interacting with my peers and teachers, I’ve learned how to assert myself in a respectful manner. I’ve also learned I have both the potential and the ability to shape my own future. School has given me the tools to advocate for things I’m passionate about and pursue a career in any field. The most important thing that education provides is opportunity. I would not be the same person I am without my education — my education has shaped me in every aspect of my life.

Saira Rathod, high school graduation, 2020

Saira Rathod, College Intern

“Education, to me, means the ability to learn and grow, the ability to gain knowledge and experience. Outside of the classroom and academics, school has taught me how to interact with peers as well as others in a professional and respectful manner. A huge part of school is having intellectual conversations outside of the classroom and being able to hear others point of view that may be different from mine.”

Sara Terry, Assistant Editor

“My education means everything to me. My grandparents grew up in a rural area where going to college was unheard of. They worked hard and earned their degrees — my grandmother earned an MA and by grandfather a PhD. While their fellow students had the weekends off, they were both working various jobs and studying full time. My grandparents are my biggest supporters — without them I wouldn't be pursuing a Master's right now. They proved to me that if you're willing to put in the work and not worry about anyone's path but your own, you can get there. I lost my grandmother this year, and I hope to make her proud through my continued education. As my grandpa always says, take each day as it comes — and that's exactly what I plan to do. For me, education has taught me that for everything I learn, there will always be worlds more.”

Olivia Eisenberg, High School Intern

“To me, education means access to essential learning that will impact the rest of one's life. Education means exploring a variety of subject matter, and giving students the tools they need to succeed in whichever career they choose to follow. I feel incredibly fortunate that my education has given me these tools, in addition to teaching me the importance of hard work and how to be an effective leader.”

Charlotte Cook, High School Intern

“Education has always been something that I've been grateful for because, to me, it means expanding my mind to allow me to better the world and my community. It means learning how you can step up to help others in a way that only you can. Beyond the classroom, school has taught me discipline and time management, as well as how to be an active member of my community. Additionally, I have learned how to be a more caring and well-rounded person from the experience of friendships within schools. ”

Aanya Rathod, High School Intern

“To me education means an opening to opportunity. The opportunity to learn and grow. The opportunity to meet people and find yourself. The opportunity to succeed. Outside of academics, school has taught me how to be responsible, how to manage time, friendships, and has overall shaped me into the person I have become.”

Alyssa Sofat, High School Intern

“To me education is very important and has given me so many opportunities. School has shown me how strong I can be and to never give up.”

Avery DeLacey, Contributor

“To me, education is a form of expression. I am a communications major at Elon University, which means I write, I design, I photograph and film, and I get to be creative every single day at school. My education growing up allowed me to get accepted at Elon University, and my studies at Elon have given me the confidence to take my creativity outside of the classroom and write for The Fem Word as well as other online publications. Aside from academics, school has given me the confidence and determination to thrive in the real world. My creativity is an outlet for me and is a way to escape the anxieties of everyday life.”

Natasha Samtani, Co-founder

“To me, education means choice. Having an education has given me the power to make my own independent decisions about my life and has been the greatest gift that my parents could ever have given me. Academics aside (because real-talk...the biggest lessons that come from school aren't necessarily the material learned), I feel that school helped me come out of my shell, to be confident, and to always strive for better. It also taught me that perfection is the death of creativity and innovation.”

Monika Samtani, Co-founder

Monika Samtani, school picture, 3rd grade

“As a little girl I was always inspired by the stories of my grandmother Sumitra - or Ammaji as we called her fondly. Her own journey transported me into her past, surviving poverty as a young woman, escaping with her 3 young boys before the Japanese bombings in Burma in 1942 during WWII...and then again during the partition of India from Pakistan. I feel I stand here in my privileged life today because of Ammaji. The early 1900s were not a time when Indian women had much say, but she was the trailblazer of her generation. Born in 1919, she was one of very few women who spoke English. As a young girl, poverty didn't stop her from making sure that she could read and write - and later as a mother to make sure her 3 sons got an education..studying by candlelight, walking to school barefoot..whatever it took. It was a requirement for them to be top of their class - or else...

Today my dad and his brothers are highly accomplished individuals. One of them was even nominated for a Nobel Prize in Physics - twice. It all came from a woman who lived with determination - the very definition of her name. Because of her 'come what may' attitude toward education, today I have opportunity. Outside of academics, I have the freedom to choose my path and the confidence to create my own journey in life. I now understand why Ammaji prioritized education for herself, her children, and me. Thanks to women like her, the 2020 International Day of the Girl theme: ‘My Voice, Our Equal Future’ can truly become a reality.”

International Day of the Girl: Education as a path to freedom, confidence, and opportunity