Ibulliance: Power in Women's Hands

As guests streamed into the Charleston Library Society on the morning of March 7, a tall Ghanaian man walked through the crowd like a street vendor, distributing plantain chips and peanut cakes from a glass case balanced on the crown of his head. In corners of the room, Surma women bedecked in floral headdresses peered out from eight-foot tall photographs by Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith. Guests found their seats in the packed room as Carolyn Murray’s rich voice welcomed all to Ibu’s first mini summit for International Women’s Day, focusing on women in Africa.
L: Photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher. R: The crowd at Ibu's Mini Summit.

Celebrated photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher had us tickled to laughter then mesmerized with anticipation as they shared stories illustrated by their inconceivable catalog of documentary photography and film; preserving a record of culture and ceremony across the continent over the past 50 years. Even more unthinkable, Carol and Angela told us, is that 40% of the rites and ceremonies captured by their lens have disappeared. 

Beatrice Lempaira, Ibu’s 2025 Global Champion, conversed with International African American Museum CEO, Dr. Tonya Matthews, about her career elevating women in Northern Kenya. Having grown up in these communities, Beatrice left to earn a masters degree at McGill University, then returned, knowing she wanted to help create opportunities for women to thrive. Heritage beading techniques became the vehicle of opportunity to provide a family income for women who otherwise had limited access to financial resources. In lieu of the black market, which many of the women relied on for income, Beatrice showed them the power of bringing their beadwork to a global market. 1,200 women later, they are organized into local beadworking groups. They are sending their daughters to school. They are investing in and preserving their local landscape and wildlife, so cherished by the world, and important to their lives.

L: Hafsat Abiola and Pat Mitchell. R: Beatrice Lempaira and Tonya Matthews.

The final speakers were Hafsat Abiola and Pat Mitchell—two firecracker women who tirelessly work to elevate women, together founding Project Dandelion, a global initiative connecting women leaders in bold efforts to preserve our planet’s health. Hafsat stood statuesque onstage sharing her story of being raised in a philanthropic and politically-minded environment. Her father, Chief Moshood Abiola, and her mother, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, both lost their lives fighting for democracy and justice in Nigeria. She carries on their legacy leading women around the world to fight for a better world. Pat and Hafsat talked about women’s power to organize and spark a charge of electrifying change. 

Like something as small and tenacious as a dandelion, with persistence we will multiply and take root. To hear the wise words of these women gives us hope. To see the results of their actions spurs us to move forward without hesitation. This is the crux of the significance of a bead, or a needle, or a loom in the hands of a woman determined to change her life. This is the power we all hold in our hands.

With Gratitude,
Lasley Steever
Chief Marketing Officer

Back to Ibu Stories