Many people have a special person in their life someone they look up to, a leader. Who is that leader who you would love to meet; what is the best example of leadership to you; who would that be? Most people would agree that examples of good leaders are Michelle Obama, Harriet Tubman, and Nelson Mandela. Leaders can come in many different shapes and sizes, anyone can be a leader all it takes is drive. Therefore leadership is not a specific description as it varies.
Who is My Leader?
My mother is the leader in my life. Some characteristics that leaders have is their drive to make change happen, and their passion to help others. These are the clear characteristics of my mom. My mother was our support system, our backbone. She is the reason for who I am.
I see my mother as my leader because she has the drive to make our lives better and passed down that drive to us. Her smile alone can motivate me to be better. She is just so inspiring to still be able to smile after all of her life struggles. For me, she is a great example of leadership because she is unapologetically herself. Although she is very stubborn she makes up for it with her empathy.
All About My Leader
My mother’s name is Edith Ezeanyim. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and lived there until 2009. In Nigeria, my mom struggled a lot and wasn’t fortunate with opportunities or help. My mother came to America to have better opportunities for her to provide for us. With that, her main reasoning for coming was to make sure we had a more comfortable environment to grow up in.
Despite her efforts, we still struggled more than expected being that we are African immigrants. My mom especially had a hard time with being a Black woman and an immigrant in a country that made it clear that she was unwanted. It was especially hard trying to settle in a new land with four kids.
With this, she still progressed and made sure we were the best we could be. She has shown an example of strength and love that I want to show to my kids. I want to lead her to never lose hope and keep her spirit alive.
Growing up with my leader
I am the middle child of four. Being the only girl it has been hard to have someone I could go to for girly advice, my mom was there. My mom isn’t perfect and being traditional she has a hard time understanding my adaptation to American culture. Regardless she still tried her best to understand me.
Nigerian culture implies this image of strength even through misfortunes. Still being so young having all the weight on her shoulders she still stayed strong. She still battles it all like the queen she is.
My mother taught us how to be strong and now I want to teach her how it is ok to put your walls down. I want her to know that we don’t always have to keep this image of a strong Black woman that society puts on us. It’s ok to take a step back and feel emotions.
I want her to feel comfortable enough to rest her head while still holding her crown up. Just her knowing that it’s okay to be vulnerable completes me. My happiness comes from her happiness. I have seen her in her struggles and I know she deserves to be happy. I will always be here for her as she is here for me, forever.
by Patricia Ezeanyim
Top and Featured Image by Julie Lavoie Courtesy of Get Bullish Creative Commons license
Inset Image Courtesy of Theophilos Papadopoulos Creative Commons License
