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How can a Ph.D. help change your world?
The Walden Ph.D. is for people delving into the topics and issues about which they are most passionate. Since the research is focused on what they do in their jobs each day, the impact is felt by others immediately. Rigorous academic study blends with practical work experience to result in real-world application and real change. > Learn More
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Video Transcript
How can the story of one gold coin inspire a life that changes the world? Ask Sharon Freeman and she'll tell you: It is possible to change any situation for the better with the right preparation, dedication, and commitment. Read the transcript and learn about Sharon's work with women around the globe.
"Enfranchising Women"
I think one of the most positive impacts my work has had is my contribution to promoting the enfranchisement of women. My first role model was actually my mother in terms of showing me that it's possible for women to make money, to have different businesses, to excel even in the face of challenges and barriers.
When I first went to Africa, I saw the women carrying goods on their backs and on their stomachs and on their head. They worked day and night. We didn't see their place in society as being an equal place.
The way that I have made a difference, I think, in the development sphere is by changing the way institutions do business.
When women are able to become entrepreneurs, when the system of supports and policies and incentives and financial resources are in place to encourage their entrepreneurship, that has a very meaningful impact on the whole society.
Just as my mother was an entrepreneur and contributed resources to my education, this is the same role that women play throughout the world.
There was a woman who was in the country of Guinea who was so poor. She was one of twenty-odd children. She was illiterate and so forth. But, you know, she was determined. All she had was a small gold coin. I don't know how much it was worth. But basically, she walked around in her community and she noticed some pattern. She said all of these foreigners are eating fruit. So she said, okay. I know what I can do. I can cash in my gold coin and get some money to buy fruit to sell to the foreigners. And to make a long story short, today she is the only exporter of fruit from the country of Guinea. And so from one gold coin, she went to a multimillion dollar enterprise.
I think that it is possible to change any situation for the better with the proper amount of preparation, dedication, and commitment, particularly when people band together and form coalitions, their strength enhances the ability to effect positive change.
"Enfranchising Women"
I think one of the most positive impacts my work has had is my contribution to promoting the enfranchisement of women. My first role model was actually my mother in terms of showing me that it's possible for women to make money, to have different businesses, to excel even in the face of challenges and barriers.
When I first went to Africa, I saw the women carrying goods on their backs and on their stomachs and on their head. They worked day and night. We didn't see their place in society as being an equal place.
The way that I have made a difference, I think, in the development sphere is by changing the way institutions do business.
When women are able to become entrepreneurs, when the system of supports and policies and incentives and financial resources are in place to encourage their entrepreneurship, that has a very meaningful impact on the whole society.
Just as my mother was an entrepreneur and contributed resources to my education, this is the same role that women play throughout the world.
There was a woman who was in the country of Guinea who was so poor. She was one of twenty-odd children. She was illiterate and so forth. But, you know, she was determined. All she had was a small gold coin. I don't know how much it was worth. But basically, she walked around in her community and she noticed some pattern. She said all of these foreigners are eating fruit. So she said, okay. I know what I can do. I can cash in my gold coin and get some money to buy fruit to sell to the foreigners. And to make a long story short, today she is the only exporter of fruit from the country of Guinea. And so from one gold coin, she went to a multimillion dollar enterprise.
I think that it is possible to change any situation for the better with the proper amount of preparation, dedication, and commitment, particularly when people band together and form coalitions, their strength enhances the ability to effect positive change.
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