SOH Pioneer Role Models

Oshie Female Pioneers and Pacesetters

Seeing is believing, female role models inspire girls to think bigger. Role models represent and expand what is possible and real, encouraging women to be more ambitious and aim higher. They equally demonstrate the mindset and abilities of how to rise. Our SOH pioneers are role models who succeeded on their terms. They authentically demonstrate the ability to manage the responsibilities of their duties and family.

Like every other society, The OSHIE village in Njikwa Subdivision, Momo Division, Northwest region of Cameroon, is male-dominated. When the church came males dominated. Our traditions and customs are also a male-centric culture. When education came the males equally dominated. Families therefore saw no need to send females to school. Young girls were conditioned to grow up and get married early. Over time, however, some parents understood the importance of educating their girl child beyond primary school education. These pioneer role models succeeded academically and professionally, setting the pace for other girls to follow in their footsteps and do even better. Their success changed the trajectory of the lives of younger generations of Oshie girls and their families. This is largely because the overall outlook of families to educate the girl child has changed equally.

These female pioneer influencers are not only limited to those of Oshie born but extend to educated professional wives of Oshie men. As the husbands vacationed with them in Oshie, our people quickly learned that they were educated and gainfully employed. They thus influenced the education trajectory of Oshie females too.

These females were privileged to go to school in the 1960s, now have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, are retired, and are in their seventies or thereabouts.

Some of these women, even without adequate formal education rose to leadership roles and their performances have had a tremendous impact on society. The ladies we have identified as pacesetters can be seen to the right.