Once victims, once targets of the  war,  now leaders, ready to change history, ready to mentor  their daughters,  ready to add to their daily chores, the Rwandan women into politics. What does the world expect of the Rwandan woman? With our daughters looking up to us, with the support from the current state under the presidency of His Excellency Paul Kagame, How do we walk the talk?

Four Tips on keeping the fire burning and moving forward without looking back.   (Women, sisters, daughters, mothers, let us walk the talk, and how do we do it?

1. Getting started.

Now that we have the political will, we need to make full use of it. Every woman out there should think of utilizing the political will and the peace. Wherever you are, whatever position, whatever place, make use of it. Get started, do something. Ask yourself what can I do?

Let us out shine, and let the sky be the limit. And just for laughs, as quoted by   Roseanne an American comedian, "The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power.  You just take it.  ~Roseanne Barr.

This is a journey, a journey for every Rwandan.2010 is closing up with new blessings with the new government and new openings for the Rwandan women as we outshine in the world. Remember: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a small ordinary step. Let’s get started, or we get stunted.

2. Grab that opportunity. Make use of the available opportunity. 

Opportunities are just around you. Let us test our limits by going beyond the limits. Let no one define the bounds of our potential. Remember this: four things come and never go back;
• an opportunity,
• a spent arrow,
• past life,
• a spoken word,
Edith Wharton once said that "There are two ways of spreading light ...To be the candle or the mirror that reflects it”. Go for it ladies.

3. Managing time. Make use of the smallest things in life and the big ones will take care of themselves.

Take care of a minute, and the hour will take care of its self. Stop agonizing and start organizing. Time wasted is money wasted.

4. Grow. Grow wherever you are planted. Remember the world is watching the Rwandan woman, All eyes on you> If we don’t change, we don’t grow. Change your history, change your belief, change the situation, change the surrounding,

If we don’t grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security as quoted by Gail Sheehy .Take it up. Be all round. I shall put growth in four dimensions borrowed from Gitonga’s book, a path way to purpose.

• Intellectual growth (through reading)
• Physical growth( exercise, hygiene, diet, and rest)
• Spiritual ( faith moves mountains)
• Social and emotional (make the right friends. If you want to fly be-friend eagles and not chicken).
A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform by Diane Mariechild the author of Mother Wit and Inner Dance.

Look out for my next article on more tips and the role of the Rwandan woman in liberating Rwanda. Winniea23@yahoo.com.

yn Rand, Mother Teresa, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher... What do these people have in common? One, they are women. Two, they are successful leaders. Three, their lives were full of struggle, but they succeeded nevertheless. There is lot to learn from the stories of women leaders. In the case of Helen Keller, she had to overcome her physical disabilities to fulfill her dreams. Mother Teresa spent her lifetime in India, serving the poor. These are women of substance -- women who fought for dignity, independence, and individuality. Other than these famous women, there may be many unsung heroes out there who are fighting their battles alone. This is my message to all the struggling women: "Hold on tight.

Keep it going. We are with you.” I dedicate my collection of famous quotes about women in honor of these brave women. Kudos to you, girl!

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