Dr Tererai Trent

Dr Tererai Trent

Dr. Tererai Trent is one of today’s most internationally recognized voices for quality education and women’s empowerment. Distinguished as Oprah Winfrey’s “All-Time Favorite Guest,” Dr. Trent is a scholar, humanitarian, motivational speaker, educator, author, and the founder of Tererai Trent International.

Rooted in humble beginnings, Tererai grew up in a cattle-herding family in rural Zimbabwe, in a country known as Rhodesia under colonial rule, where cultural practices and a war that liberated her country charted the course of her life. Due to traditional women’s roles and cultural norms, Tererai did not have the opportunity to go to school. Undeterred, she still dreamed of an education and determinedly taught herself to read and write from her brother’s schoolbooks. Despite being married young and having three children by the time she was eighteen, she never lost sight of her dreams.

Dr. Trent could not have imagined that her steadfast determination, hard work and belief in her dreams would eventually earn her multiple degrees, and a prominent global platform with world leaders and international businesses and audiences where she advocates for universal access to quality education. Currently an adjunct professor in Monitoring & Evaluation in Global Health at Drexel University, School of Public Health, Dr. Trent is a senior consultant with more than 18 years of international experience in program and policy evaluation, and has worked on five continents for major humanitarian organizations.

Dr. Trent's new picture book, The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can (Viking Books) is based on her story of perseverance. Leading the global charge in the fight for quality education for all children and women’s rights, Dr. Trent has become a symbol of hope for everyone, and living proof that anything is possible. Her favorite motto is “Tinogona,” meaning, “It is achievable!”

twitter @TereraiTrent

www.tererai.org

 

Keynote speech

Inspired Women's Leadership

The Three Powers of Inspired Women’s Leadership:

Great Hunger (Passion), Mentorship & Giving Back

 

Drawing from the precious wisdom of her African cultural roots, and the valuable lessons of achieving success in present day America, Dr. Tererai Trent is poised between the ancient and modern—offering a beautifully unique perspective, privilege to a rare few.

In her talk, Dr. Trent will talk about the importance of cultivating three essential powers of women's leadership:

  1.   The Power of Great Hunger: The energy that gives Women’s Leadership determination and perseverance, which makes them stay focused on important issues in life.
  2.   The Power of Mentorship: How Women’s Leadership connects and builds relationships for personal growth, ultimately impacting communities and societies at large.
  3.   The Power of Giving Back: How women use talents, time, money and other resources to build communities, and champion issues whose greatness defines our humanity.

Dr. Trent will share how nurturing these three powers enable women to cultivate legacy leadership while making a positive difference in the world, ultimately, giving a strong voice in shaping our collective future. She will unfold these powers by weaving them with her remarkable story, thereby offering a global perspective that connects women of all ages and backgrounds.