Maame Esi Eghan

Maame is a second-year student in the College involved in several service organizations, including Fashion for a Cause, Organization of African Students, and Green Grounds. She is the co-founder of the Yielding Accomplished African Women project.

What lead to you founding the Yielding Accomplished African Women project?

My mother and father, long ago, came to America with two possessions: work visa and a dream. They have worked ceaselessly to instill the same morals in me that they learned from growing up in the rural parts of Ghana, West Africa. They instilled in me the ethics of hard work, perseverance, grit, and community service. As a first-generation Ghanaian, I have the ability to not only continue my parent's dream, but to also expand it in my own unique way. My mom frequently tells me, "Never forget your roots," and I operate in this concept. My culture has helped me to see past the glamour in my life and to realize that there are many citizens who struggle every day. Thus, I co-founded the Yielding Accomplished African Women project to help inspire my fellow Ghanaian sisters and help equip them with the skills and opportunities to excel in their careers.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your community involvements?

The most rewarding aspect of this project is that I am able to provide life changing training to bright college women in Ghana. This project is just a small fissure in the larger issue of gender inequality in Ghana. however, as Mother Theresa once stated, "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."

How do you expect to be involved in the community in the future? What's your #CommunityCommitment?

I plan to continue this project every summer. I am hoping that we can turn this project into a nonprofit organization within two to five years. Moreover, my #CommunityCommitment is to turn this project into a finance/technology academy for girls in Ghana.

How would you encourage others to get involved with your project?

We are looking for funders and funding opportunities. So, if there is any information someone may have or if they want to be involved, please let us know!

What has been the greatest class you have taken at UVA?

The greatest class I've taken has been a COLA class called "What is Whiteness." It defined the origin of whiteness and how it became a racial category that included and excluded individuals they saw fit.