Storyteller Reflection: Young Women Participants From Our Community College Initiative Project
by Tahira Bano, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan; and Ziadah Ziad, Lombok Island, Indonesia
Editor’s Note: Each year for the last several years, StoryCenter's Allison Myers has led an online digital storytelling workshop with students from around the world who are studying at community colleges in the U.S., through the Community College Initiative Program. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs. Tahira and Ziadah are among those who shared stories in last year’s workshop. Tahira attended Scottsdale Community College (one of the Maricopa Community Colleges), and Ziadah studied at Kirkwood Community College. To conclude our Women's History Month series of writing by young women, we share their reflections about the workshop process and show our support for women's rights globally.
Tahira’s Reflections … “Walking Through the Veil of Fear”
I have experience in writing stories about others in newspapers; however, I had never realized that I have my own story about how my life-changing revolution is occurring. In fact, my mind is overloaded with different stories, yet through the digital storytelling workshop, StoryCenter facilitator Allison Myers, who has become an amazing friend besides being an instructor, helped guide me to my “Aha” moment.
That moment was when I suddenly realized my interest in becoming a journalist who can write about the unique problems facing women, including societal, cultural, and familial oppression. Despite the ways these obstacles affect me, as a young woman, I refuse to give up on my desire, and I continue in my pursuit to achieve my dream.
Allison also assisted me in focusing my energies and thoughts into a single topic, instead of scattered over many things at the same time. This experience brought me another revelation, which was my determination to return to the United States for a second time, and, without any support system, to be on my own and continue my education. This was quite new for me, as I was accustomed to never taking any steps without my father and brothers beside me, guiding me. The experience provided me with a greater feeling of self-assurance and confidence.
Tahira and friends prepare to speak out against gender-based violence on the Scottsdale Community College campus.
The message I would like other people to take from my digital story is that life is full of challenges, complications, and difficulties, but it is up to the individual to decide how to deal with these issues. Whether we stand up, remain patient, pursue our objectives, and triumph, or whether we decide to simply give up. Whatever you want in life, believe in yourself first, and then look for opportunities and resources to pave your path to success.
In Pakistan, many girls want to bring change in society. They have the capability of doing many things, but often, out of fear and insecurity, and due to social and cultural pressures, as well as to the real dangers facing women in the country, they don’t believe in themselves and choose not to take the initiative. Perhaps my story will encourage each of them to allow her inner person to walk through the veil of fear in order to pursue her dreams.
Nothing is impossible in this world. Even if just one person, be it family or friend, understands you and assists you in believing in yourself and being patient with yourself, and walks the journey with you, you can achieve your goals.
Ziadah’s Reflections … “When the Doors Open”
Through telling her story, Ziadah gained confidence in her skills as a photographer.
Before becoming a storyteller in this project, I was always a reader. I believe in the power of writing and storytelling. I traveled for the first time, in a story. From it, I learned about many characters. I am brave enough to imagine myself in places where I have never been before. I started to see things through many lenses and many vantage points– from up high, from below, from the closest distance, from the farthest one, from the corners. And I learned to see things in the dark, as everything comes into focus.
I want people to have a glimpse of what I’ve experienced. We might have something in common, or if not– they can simply keep it for themselves, or they can pass the story down to their sisters, their friends, or their daughters.
In this world, especially in my country, Indonesia, there are few female photographers. When I was informed that I was chosen for the digital storytelling project, I was surprised and excited, but I felt worried at the same time, because I had never done digital storytelling before. In crafting my story, I was guided by StoryCenter Facilitator Allison Myers. She led me to find the right plot in my writing, my moment. She gave me the clue that showing is key, in a story. I think this was the most challenging part, because I had to learn to craft the words into clear visual scenes.
When I poured my words down onto paper, I could see a picture of mine. As I received more feedback and revised the story, I enjoyed reading it even more. I witnessed my own evolution, from the insecure photographer to the confident one. I saw how the chains from within were holding me back, and when other doors opened, I walked right in. I have a story, and it is being told. I really hope all women can hear it. I hope they will be braver to be what they want to be.
Tahira's Story
Ziadah's Story