The Power of Sharing Your Own

Jin In, founder of 4ggl, often says that our personal stories are so important because “You truly don’t know who you are until you hear yourself tell the story of your life to someone else.” That’s why we were so excited to learn about Resonate and their Storytelling for Leadership workshops in Rwanda.

“The most incredible thing about this source of power is that everyone has a story. We should use that power in a way that can make the most difference.”  — Ayla Schlosser

 During Resonate workshops, participants develop a story that represents who they are, connects to the shared experiences of communities, and moves others to action—whether to build allies, forge partnerships, inspire others or organize communities.*

Benigne’s Story of Self

Benigne is a young woman who lives in Rwanda studying to become an engineer. In Resonate’s Storytelling for Leadership workshop, she shares her Story of Self as a way to present herself, her values, and her goals for the future.

Ayla’s Story of Self

Ayla Schlosser is Founder and Executive Director of Resonate. Listen as she shares her story and vision for using Storytelling for Leadership to empower the next generation of female leaders.

One new community that sprung from Resonate’s pilot program is the Storytelling Club at the Akilah Institute for Women, which students Laure Darlene Karamutsa and Nida Gisele Iraguha started last year—where students write and share interesting and inspiring life stories.

“Your story is your life, and when it’s not told it can go unrecognized. By telling our stories, we discover our weaknesses, our strengths and what we value most in life. Sharing stories brings back the memories of our past, and helps us understand the present and visualize the future.” 

– Laure Darlene Karamutsa

BONUSES: 

[symple_column size=”three-fourth” position=”first” fade_in=”false”] If you’d like to learn more about Akilah Institute, the ONLY women’s college in Rwanda, please visit this Forbes’ article to see and hear an interview with founder Elizabeth Dearborn Hughes.[/symple_column][symple_column size=”one-fourth” position=”last” fade_in=”false”]

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[symple_column size=”three-fourth” position=”first” fade_in=”false”] To hear more about Jin’s personal story, please listen to her Inspired Conversation on 4GGL. [/symple_column][symple_column size=”one-fourth” position=”last” fade_in=”false”]

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4GGL thanks Girls’ Globe for bringing this story to our attention.

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Girls’ Globe is a constantly growing network of bloggers, advocates and organizations from around the world that shares information, raises awareness, and advocates online and offline to kick out hopelessness and inspire you to make a difference.  [/symple_column][symple_column size=”one-fourth” position=”last” fade_in=”false”]

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Cover Photo Credit:  Vivienne McMaster Photography  Thank you for sharing  the above “Your Story Matters” image with us! Vivienne believes in and teaches self-compassion through self-portraiture. Please see her story here >