As we close out the first quarter of 2025 and reflect on the powerful momentum of Women’s History Month, I’m filled with a deep sense of pride and purpose. We’ve witnessed a remarkable start to the year – one that continues to show us what women are truly capable of when we lead with conviction, clarity and courage.
We’ve seen milestones that once lived only in dreams, now inscribed in history. From State Houses to boxing rings, from corporate boardrooms to Olympic platforms, women are showing up with quiet strength, relentless resolve, and undeniable brilliance.
The rise of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Namibia, who made history as the country’s first female Head of State, sends a powerful message to every girl across Africa and beyond: no seat is too high, no dream out of reach. In March, Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry became both the first African and first woman to be elected President of the International Olympic Committee, a role that was once unimaginable for many on our continent; and just before, Ghana’s Abigail Kwartekaa Quartey emerged as the country’s first female world boxing champion, her story is one of sheer perseverance and unshakable drive. In South Africa, Tshego Gaelae, a lawyer, community builder, and now Mrs. World 2025, became the first Black woman to earn the title, showing us that grace and grit can indeed coexist, beautifully and powerfully.
Across the Atlantic, Aisha Bowe, an aerospace engineer and entrepreneur, prepares to become the first Black woman to travel to space with Blue Origin, shattering yet another glass ceiling. And in corporate leadership, Alison Duncan and Anna Anthony now lead EY UK, signalling a new chapter in business and boardroom diversity.
Bringing it home to Nigeria, Zuriel Oduwole, only 22 years old, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her decade-long advocacy in girls’ education and global diplomacy – a profound recognition of youthful vision and tenacity. And Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continues make audacious moves in challenging political norms with boldness and grace, standing firm in the face of pressure and redefining leadership in Nigeria and across Africa.
We Are No Longer Waiting, We Are Leading.
Across the continent and beyond, women are stepping forward; not waiting to be chosen, but choosing themselves and shaping the futures they believe in. Let’s be clear, these achievements were not handed out; they were earned through grit, discipline, sacrifice, courage, and unwavering hope. These women pushed past resistance – and they rose, anyway. Each one reminds us that strength comes in many forms; power wears many faces; and Leadership is not just a title, it’s a choice. They didn’t wait to be given power. They claimed it, carried it, and shared it. Their rise illuminates the path for others.
Too often, women speak of rights and power as if they are privileges to be earned. We must remember, these are not gifts; they are truths to be reclaimed. We are citizens of the world. We have the right to lead, dream, be ambitious, be heard, feel joy, take rest, and live fully. We are not just participants in culture, we are its original custodians. From our homes and classrooms to boardrooms and policy rooms, women shape the language, values, and belief systems that define societies. Long before policy is written, women are the ones instilling the codes by which the world moves. As Phylicia Rashad once said, “Women are the foundation of the world, and where women go, the culture goes.” This means that when women lead with intention, culture shifts for the better. So, we must ask ourselves: Where are we leading culture? How are we showing up?
At The Maverick Circle, we know the answer. We are leading it with clarity of vision, strategic focus, and a fierce commitment to excellence. We are anchored in compassion, yes – but also in reason, fairness, discipline, and a deep sense of justice. We hold space for others, while also keeping ourselves accountable. We act with courage, listen with wisdom, and execute with intention. We do these because we believe this truth: Women are not only capable of changing the world, we are already doing so.
This is not a trend. This is a movement. It’s not a competition between men and women. It’s a collective reawakening; an invitation for everyone to recognise the value women bring when we are allowed to be fully ourselves. This is a call for partnership, respect, and truth. A world where we don’t just demand space – we build it. Boldly. Powerfully. Kindly.
As we look to the rest of the year, let us remember that strength is not about doing it all alone. The road ahead requires energy, clarity, and care. So, let us commit to resting without guilt, protecting our health, feeding our minds and spirits, holding space for joy, and nurturing the friendships and sisterhoods that sustain us. Self-care is not a reward; it is the fuel for the journey ahead.
To every woman reading this: Know your rights. Know your worth. Know your voice. There has never been a more important time to be fully and unapologetically yourself, with a firm commitment to continued self-improvement. So, here’s to the trailblazers and quiet warriors alike; to the women in headlines and those holding the line at home… We see you. We honour you. Let us continue to walk boldly, rooted in strength and rising in power.
As the first quarter of 2025 comes to a close, let this be more than a reflection, let it be a rallying cry. A call to women everywhere to boldly mould and lead culture with unshakeable vision, transformative inclusivity, and the quiet, unrelenting power of fairness, kindness, and love. Let us rise, not in spite of our femininity, but because of it – because within it lies the wisdom to heal, the strength to build, and the courage to reimagine what’s possible. May we stand tall in our truth, speak with conviction, and raise generations grounded not only in justice and dignity, but in the profound understanding that our humanity is our shared inheritance. We are not here to fit into broken systems; we are here to transform them. The world will shift because we choose to lead, not as copies of anyone else, but as the whole, powerful women we are.
We are not waiting for change. We are the change. And we are just getting started.
With Love and In Kindness,
Chinyelu “Chee” Nwachukwu-Onuotu
Founder, The Maverick Circle
