IWD profiles: Ife Okafor-Yarwood
International Women’s Day 2024 – #InspireInclusion
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to champion the power of women’s voices and drive positive change.
We spoke to women across the the University who all have one thing in common – an unwavering pursuit of equality. We asked them why they thought it was important to mark IWD, who inspires them and what they love about being a woman.
Ife Okafor-Yarwood, Lecturer in Sustainable Development, School of Geography and Sustainable Development
Is there a woman who has inspired you personally or professionally?
My mother is my first inspiration. She is a go-getting, fearless human who would speak her truth regardless of the cost. She will also go to the ends of the earth for her loved ones. I aspire to be like her. I have met inspiring women in the course of my work, and I am thankful to them for lifting as they rise.
What did you want to be when you were young?
I wanted to be an engineer and, at the same time, wanted to be able to contribute to change in my community. Although I am not a qualified engineer today, I am contributing my quota to improving the world through my work.
What do you love about being a woman?
I love how open and honest we can be about our challenges, that we do not bottle them up and allow them to consume us. I like that as a woman, I can meet a fellow woman and chat with her as if I’ve known her forever because we are wired to be welcoming and open up when stressed out about things.