Class of 2019! IZMET ! Shining / Beautiful / Great Fullness/ That is what you named yourself! You will always go down in my page of history (if I ever write my memoires) as the very first batch I recruited when I joined Hopetown. For me – you will always be – my chosen ones. And the ones who would grow to be what I always wanted for children in a school where I could dictate what education should be. And you have not let me down. At the end of your term in school, when I look back at your achievements and survey your SOPs and dreams of what you want to be …. You haven’t let me down. I can see that you are strong – in ways you don’t see now – that you are liberated in ways that will make society uncomfortable – you have opinions that are your own and you can voice them – you are incredibly talented – joyously talented and will not just make yourselves happy with what you can achieve – but you will make others happy by what you do – whether it is music or medicine or art or drama or voicing opinions or analyzing serious  mathematical issues or hanging in there for someone in distress or sharing what makes you happy with others who can learn from you. You are going to be phenomenal women! And for the rest of the Hopetown community – How important it for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!!

 

One of my favourite poets is Maya Angelou. Not because we share the same name – but because I find her truly inspirational! She was one strong woman. Maya Angelou said – My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.

And I would say the same! I think you have all those qualities – but you need some of that humour! You have the style – the compassion – the passion – but laugh a little at the complexities of life – that will help you to thrive! As a woman, you have believe in your inordinate strength and beauty and enjoy it too.

 

Maya Angelou wrote a poem called Phenomenal Woman and I would like to read it to you today and dedicate it to you.

 

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

 

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

 

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

 

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

 

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

 

The other great learning that I have from Maya Angelou – is – People will forget what you said … people will forget what you did … but people will never forget how you made them feel – If you made them feel joyous – every time they think of you the feeling of joy will return. If you made them feel sad – it will be connected to your image. So – wherever you go –  think of the print you want to leave behind in the heart of another.

 

 

Phenomenal women … enjoy being what you are and allow the confidence in that to never compromise on your dream of what you want to be. I look forward to our Alum page on our fab new website – being full of wonderful news of your achievements.

 

 

And so –  IZMET –  Shining; Beautiful; Great Fullness  – with the fire in your eyes,

And the flash of your teeth,

The swing in your waist,

And the joy in your feet.   Enjoy being phenomenal women!

 

Good Luck with your lives ahead, Class of 2019! God Bless!