Women of Rubies
Author

Women of Rubies

Browsing
In Inspiration By

Nigerian Academy Of Science Elects Its First Female President

On February 6, the Nigerian Academy of Science appointed professor, Ekanem Braide, as President-elect.

Ms Braide, who is the immediate past Vice-President of the Academy, will be the first female president of the Academy in 43 years of existence when she takes over office in January 2021.

Ms Braide, was a member of the national committee that achieved the laudable feat of guinea worm eradication in Nigeria. She was a professor of Parasitology/Epidemiology, with a rich professional experience as a researcher and an administrator. She is a former Vice-Chancellor at Nassarawa State University, Lafia.

She is to take over from Mosto Onuoha (Professor of pure and applied geophysics) and will then lead the Academy in achieving an improved quality of life for the Nigerian society through the promotion and application of science and technology; as well as strengthen the nation’s ability to deliver the fruits of science to society by the acquisition, growth, and dissemination of sound scientific knowledge and facilitation of its use in the solution of major national problems.

While, Abubakar Sambo (Professor of Mechanical Engineering) takes over from Ms Braide as the new Vice-President of the Nigerian Academy of Science.

Congratulations to her.

To read more click here

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Meet South Africa’s First Black Female Police Pilot Inspiring The Next Generation -CNN

Refilwe Ledwaba is a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, a flight instructor, an advocate for women’s rights and a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation goalkeeper who made history by becoming the first black female pilot to fly for the police service in South Africa.

“For a long time, I was the only black female that was holding the highest license for helicopters… But being the first for me is not important. The important is the 20th person, the 30th person, then we can start talking,” she said.

The numbers are hard to come by but according to a report by the University of Nebraska, women make up less than 10% of pilots, maintenance technicians and airline executives globally.

Why are there so few women in aviation?

Ledwaba says she’s on a mission to improve the numbers — starting in Africa.

She teaches young pilots in training how to operate aircraft. She also runs the Girls Fly Programme in Africa (GFPA), a foundation with a focus on introducing elementary and high school students to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Raised by a ‘superwoman’

She would later become the first black woman to pilot a helicopter in the South African Police Service (SAPS). Today, she is a contract flyer for various charter companies on the continent.

(Courtesy of Gypseenia Lion / Forbes Africa )
Pic Credit: Gypseenia Lion

Ledwaba, who is qualified to fly both helicopters and airplanes, credits her journey to the strong women in her community while growing up in an apartheid era.

Ledwaba grew up in Limpopo, a province in the northeast of South Africa. Her mother, a teacher, raised seven children alone.

She says her upbringing influenced her chosen path.

“I don’t know how she (her mother) did it, she sent us all to university. So, from a very young age, I always thought I could be anything because I looked at her and I’m like ‘Oh, there’s a superwoman,'” she said.

Ledwaba initially planned to become a doctor, and to help fund her studies, she got a job as a flight attendant. She later realized she was interested in learning to fly so she began taking private flying lesson.

Thirteen years later, she has gained experience flying a range of choppers and airplanes.

Changing the face of aviation

In 2010, Ledwaba started the Girls Fly Programme in Africa (GFPA) to introduce girls in elementary and high school to STEM at a young age

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Female Astronaut Christina Koch Breaks Record: “Do What Scares You” She Says

Christina Koch a female astronaut returned to Earth last Thursday after a record-breaking 328 days in space, the longest single spaceflight by a woman.  She did the simple things as soon as she arrived home, like reuniting with her dog, eating her favorite foods and taking a family trip to the beach, Koch said during a press conference Wednesday.

“After 328 days in space, the first six days back on Earth were full of just as much wonder and excitement,” she said. “We all live on a wonderful planet and it’s great to be back.”
Koch described the joy of seeing so many people again and feeling her body reacclimate as “her mind [wakes] up to sensory experiences that define Earth.”
Apart from regaining her balance and getting used to walking again, Koch has been lucky. Unlike previous astronauts who returned from long-duration spaceflight missions, Koch didn’t experience motion sickness. Muscle aches are normal, and she felt a few in her neck — something she compared to a two-week-old working hard to hold up her head after floating in microgravity for close to a year.
She received advice from astronauts Scott Kelly and Peggy Whitson, who also hold records for long spaceflights (Koch has surpassed Whitson’s record of 288 days). They told her to pace herself and do what she loved. Long missions on the space station are “an ultra-marathon, not a marathon,” they’re fond of saying.

Astronaut Christina Koch spent a record-breaking 328 days in space. Here's what she did

Astronaut Christina Koch spent a record-breaking 328 days in space. Here’s what she did-did-CNN
Mentally, Koch decided to focus on the fact that her time on the station was special. So rather than focusing on the things she missed from Earth, Koch thought about the things she’d never have again once her mission was over. This “mental cheerleading” allowed Koch to put positive messages on repeat in her head, she said.
But Koch adjusted well to space initially. One of her favorite moments was when they arrived at the space station. “I regarded it as this amazing place, my new home for the next year,” Koch said. “Something I had trained for so long had come to life.”
It only took three months for Koch to feel like the space station was home, and replacing her routine from Earth with the unusual aspects of microgravity became normal. She forgot she was floating until a new crew would arrive, because they were so excited about experiencing the sensation.
When it was time to come home, Koch’s personal effects making the return trip all fit in a shoebox — mainly mementos donated by friends and family members that she was excited to give back with a new memory attached to their sentiment.
Koch’s message to young people who aspire to be astronauts is to “follow your passions, live the life you’ve imagined and do what scares you.”

Christina Koch just set a record for the longest spaceflight by a woman

Christina Koch just set a record for the longest spaceflight by a woman
Koch herself knew she wanted to be an astronaut at five years old — but she also knew the chances of becoming one were low. She began with a single-minded goal, but when she went to Space Camp and learned about the process for becoming an astronaut, she made a key decision.
“I wasn’t going to live according to a checklist,” Koch said. “If the experience I gained would allow me to contribute in a great way to the space program, only then would I apply.”

After an historic all-female spacewalk, astronaut has moon dream

After an historic all-female spacewalk, astronaut has moon dream
Koch pursued other passions, like rock-climbing and quitting an engineering job at NASA to pursue work in Antarctica — both of which helped her become a better astronaut, she said.
As far as her records achieved in space — longest spaceflight, and the first three all-female spacewalks — Koch isn’t a stats person who keeps score. To her, the best thing that can happen when a record is set is when someone else breaks it
Koch will never forget how she felt when she saw Earth for the first time. She was in the Soyuz capsule on the six-hour rendezvous with the space station in March 2019, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin. She looked out at Earth and exclaimed, “oh, my goodness.” Then she realized how dangerous that could be without explaining her reaction — because in space, it could mean any number of issues had come up. She clarified, “Everything is OK. It’s just Earth.”
“I looked out the window and there was Earth. It looked brighter and way more real than I imagined it could be,” Koch said. “I realized this was real and that I had left our planet.”
Source CNN
by
Keep Reading
In Health By

Benefits Of Sugarcane Juice You Need To Know

Having a fresh sugarcane juice is not just yummy but highly refreshing. The juice is not just another drink, but one of the healthiest drinks that you could lay your hands on. Here are a list of health benefits of sugarcane juice that will put a lot of and artificial energy drinks to behind.

  1. Prevents cancer: Sugarcane juice is alkaline in nature because of the high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese, which helps prevent diseases like cancer, that cannot survive in an alkaline environment. Thus it helps in fighting various types of cancer such as prostate and breast cancer.
  2. Aids in digestion: It is good for the well-being of the digestive system due to its high potassium levels. It helps in keeping the digestive system in good shape, prevents stomach infections and is considered to be particularly useful in treating the problem of constipation.
  3. Prevents heart diseases: It also prevents heart diseases and stroke as it helps decrease the levels of unhealthy or cholesterol and triglycerides.
  4. Helps in reducing weight: As sugarcane juice reduces the bad cholesterol levels in the body and has natural sugars, it helps in reducing weight. It is high in soluble fibre which aids in shedding weight.
  5. Good for treating diabetes: Sugarcane is sweet in taste and is full of natural sweeteners, which have a low gylcemic index (GI), hence it works very well for diabetic patients.
  6. Clears skin imperfections: When it comes to healthy skin, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which are part of the natural constituents of sugarcane juice, are supposed to have a lot of benefits. They fight acne, reduce blemishes, prevent ageing and help in keeping the skin hydrated. Just apply sugarcane juice to your skin and let it dry or add it to your favourite face mask and scrub, and your skin will look radiant and clean.

For more read here

by
Keep Reading
In Career Gems By

Why Minority Women Now Control Almost Half Of All Women-Running Businesses In America

 A Snapchat changed Vandra Caldwell‘s life.

Last year, her friend Trishona Helm was visiting L.A. from their native Omaha and snapped Caldwell a picture of rolled ice cream–which is rolls of ice cream placed vertically in a cup, finished off with various sweet toppings.

In August, they invested $10,000 of their savings and a $30,000 loan into launching Mixins Rolled Ice Cream in downtown Omaha. By the end of October, the business had generated $100,000 in sales–and Caldwell is already planning to create a rooftop ice cream bar at Mixins next summer as well as mulling franchising the business.

Caldwell has a lot of company: Nearly 63 percent of women financed their businesses from their own savings, according to the 2018 State of Women and Entrepreneurship survey of 279 women. Compare that to versus 43 percent of surveyed Inc. 5000 CEOs.

Caldwell, a 25-year-old biracial single mother with three kids, previously worked at a news station and childcare learning center. She sees her business as a means to provide a better life for her kids, even as it forces her to juggle competing demands. One vivid memory for Caldwell is signing the loan before going straight into labor the next day.

Her parents would help take care of the kids. But that meant she couldn’t see her children for more than a few days at a time–and would often turn to her business partner for a shoulder to cry on. In this, too, Caldwell isn’t alone. Spending time away from family is one of the biggest sacrifices female founders cited in our survey.

“I’m just trying to make a sacrifice now,” she says. “I’m trying to make a better life for them in the future.”

The face of female entrepreneurship is becoming a lot less white. Minority women control 44 percent of women-owned businesses in the United States, up from 20 percent in 1997, according to Census data and projections by research firm Womenable–even though “there’s this notion that we don’t exist,” says Esosa Ighodaro, founder of the social media shopping app CoSign and the networking organization Black Women Talk Tech. “Entrepreneurship is very lonely and even lonelier in minority communities.”

Even so, minority women are starting up businesses at much a faster rate than their white counterparts. While the number of white women-owned businesses grew 40 percent from 1997 to 2016, those owned by black and Hispanic women showed much higher growth rates at 518 percent and 452 percent, respectively, according to the analyzed data.

Researchers attribute this burst of entrepreneurial activity to both educational progress and economic necessity. “Women have been taking control, frankly, for centuries,” says Kathy McShane of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership. “But now we’re talking about it.”

But one of the biggest hurdles women–particularly, minority women–continue to face is “access to capital,” says Margot Dorfman, CEO of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Part of it has to do with the industry in which women are founding businesses. According to a 2016 report from the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the majority of women-owned businesses are in the service industry.

Men still get the vast majority of venture capital–only 2 percent of all VC funding goes to U.S.-based female-only founder teams, according to PitchBook. But an uptick in female-focused funds is “encouraging women of color to enter the field,” says Miriam Rivera, co-founder of Palo Alto, California-based Ulu Ventures. She says that more women-led VC firms have become more public about their portfolios having larger percentages of women CEOs. According to our survey, 38 percent of the women who raised money sought out female investors; they cited female investors’ better understanding of their target market as a key reason.

To read full article click here

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Genevieve Magazine Turns 17, Betty Irabor Shares An Inspiring Message

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

Aja Smith Becomes WWE First Full-time African American Female Referee

Aja Smith is now in the WWE history books –CNN

Aja Smith indie women wrestler has signed with WWE and reported to the WWE Performance Center, becoming the first full-time African-American female referee signed to WWE.

The 25 year old famously known as Aja Perera,  “competed across the United States, Japan and Mexico under the name Aja Perera, and has held the SHINE Nova and Tag Team Championship,” according to a statement by the WWE.

“She will now don the stripes and join the crew of referees who enforce the rules for NXT every week on USA Network,” the statement added.

“Referees are really the unsung heroes,” Smith said on the importance of referees to the pro wrestling industry. “They put in so much work and they’re seemingly invisible, but without them, there would be no wrestling, honestly.”

However, the highlight of the video was when she was told that WWE would be hiring her.

“This is the greatest moment of my life,” Smith said. “It’s something I never thought of, and just to think to myself, I’m going to be the first African American female referee in WWE…”

“That is the greatest moment of my life,” Smith said through tears. “Having this platform as a female, as a female of color, is really an honor and I’m so thankful to be given this moment.”

Smith took to Twitter after the announcement.
“Your love and support over the years has gotten me to this moment. This is bigger than me. To follow a dream. TO MAKE HISTORY. And I’m just getting started. We can do it all and I’m honored to be lighting the way. Let’s change the world! #BlackGirlMagic,” she tweeted.
The WWE also tweeted: “For Aja Smith, a dream has now become history.”

 

by
Keep Reading
In Interviews&profile By

#RubyGirls | “Be confident, ask questions, don’t be in a haste to grow” – Omolola Orenuga

Omolola Orenuga is a final year student of Performing Arts at Olabisi Onabanjo University. She is an award winning stage manager, director, thespian, event planner, model and fashion designer.

She won the award for Best Stage Manager at Theatre Students Award (TSA) on 30th November, 2019.

Cool, energy bubbling and fun lover Omolola is a fashion, beauty and natural hair enthusiast.

*1. Let’s meet you. Who is Lola….?*

1) I am Orenuga Omolola Oluwapelumi AKA Aduffeh, a performing Arts student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago –Iwoye; Ogun State.

*2. Who and what is your inspiration?*

I really can’t pinpoint a particular figure as my inspiration. I draw inspiration from anyone and anything, depending on what I need at that particular point in time. I just try to be the best I can be. Therefore, I feed on anything that makes my creativity juice flow.

*3. Your best quote?*

Think like men of action: act like men of thought – Bergson

*4. What is that one accessory you can’t leave home without?*

My phone

*5. As a performing Art student, thespian, director, stage manager, how many plays have you directed/stage managed? Have you ever been discouraged or downcast? What is your most memorable experience as a Performing Arts student?*

I directed The Sisters by Ahmed Yerima and Romeo and Juliet in pidgin. Also, I stage managed Kurunmi and I was part of the stage managers for the convocation play. Lastly, I have been in several stage productions, class productions and private theatre companies, and participated in Roadblock, Modern Slave, Agriculture, and Banner of Peace amongst others.
My most memorable experiences are my induction and NUTAF’19 which is a festival for theatre arts students.
I felt discouraged and was downcast when I had to drop my roles due to sickness on two occasions.

*6. Which city or country will you love to visit soonest?*

Santorini, Greece (Smiles).

*7. What is that one thing you’ll like to change about yourself?*

Saying NO… for my best interest and stop overthinking

Omolola Orenuga

*8. You are a creative versatile young woman and entrepreneur. You are a Model. Hair stylist. Fashion Designer, event Planner yet a finalist. How do you balance all of these with your academics?*

It is not so easy, sometimes I have to multi-task. However, I plan ahead and keep things simple in order not to get overwhelmed.

*9. What do you intend to do beyond school and upon graduation from the university? Do you intend to go into the movie industry or pursue other passions or business endeavours?*

Mostly business endeavours, private brands, and go into the movie industry. However, Plans might change (smiles).

*10. If given the chance to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what will you change?*

I will provide laptops for every university student and legalize abortion.

*11. Did your upbringing in any way prepare you for everything you are into today?*

Yes, it did and looking back now, I’m grateful for it.

*12. Where do you see yourself/your brand in the next 5 years?*

I see myself as CEO of my own fashion line; Supply costumes/designs for movie productions ,events, modelling. Get more innovations in fashion. Plans change though.

*13. If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?*

Confidence!
Be confident, ask questions, don’t be in a haste to grow, enjoy and make memories.

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

This woman born with four legs became a world sensation in the 1930s

Born Lillie B Williams on January 10, 1932, in Albany, Georgia, was a normal girl except for the miniature twin growing out of the left side of her body.

She was born to a farming family kind of poor, and the youngest of twelve children, Williams was attached at the side to a parasitic sibling that had two legs, a developed arm with three fingers and another tiny arm-like appendage.

Nevertheless, doctors said that Williams was very healthy and could definitely live long. Her parasitic twin would later help her to earn a large living.

When she was just a year old, she rose to fame after being discovered by a professional showman called Dick Best.

She changed her name to Betty Lou for reasons not known and started displaying the child in his New York Museum.

She later caught the attention of Robert Ripley, of Believe it or Not?! fame.

After negotiations between Ripley and Best, it was agreed that Betty Lou, then aged two, would be shown for $250 a week at the Ripley’s Believe it or Not?! Odditorium at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1934.

Betty Lou’s earnings quickly soared as she matured, and began earning as much as $1000 a week.

Out of her large finances, she purchased a 260-acre ranch for her parents and succeeded in sending all her eleven siblings to college.

Many attributed her rise to fame and huge income to her beauty and kindness. Betty Lou attracted a lot of male suitors, and at the age of 23, she got engaged to one of them.

Her husband-to-be, however, disappointed her as he turned out to be a thief who absconded with a huge amount of money belonging to her.

Soon after this, Betty Lou, despite assurances by doctors that she was healthy and could live long, died from an asthma attack at her home in Trenton, New Jersey at the age of 23.

Many people believed that she died of a broken heart.

Source: Face2faceAfrica

by
Keep Reading
In Inspiration By

How To Cope With Being Single and Content

Not being in a relationship most times is no easy feat for any young woman. It can get tough especially when you are around people who are in one and probably married. This creates a discontent feeling in the heart of single ladies, making them feel incomplete like they just haven’t struck that life goal just yet.

And yes, its a dangerous feeling that needs to be dealt with to avoid toxic relationship and mistakes in marriage.

Well hello lovelies here are a few tips below to help just about so much, each steps are linked  to the other:

1. Love Yourself First

While everyone believes they love themselves, they never for a second think they might have harmful habits. When you truly love your self, you automatically make anyone understand they are blessed to have you in their life, not in a selfish way though. Take care of yourself, give yourself treats and on, you will have a facial baby glow. Everyone loves a pretty soul. To love yourself you gotta know you.

2. Know Yourself

Know who you are and what is best for you. When you know your essence in life, like how important you are, your purpose and what you represent, you will know the right kind of love for you. You will be strong enough to walk out on toxic relationships and attract the right circle. Truth is any woman who knows herself wouldn’t have to force themselves on any one, ‘you are a queen’. God made you one, you need to believe this. To know yourself, you gotta spend some time by yourself.

3. Enjoy Your Company- Spend Some Time Alone.

This is so good for everyone, even if you were married. Note this, if you can’t stand to take yourself on a date alone then you probably have a low self esteem, and need people to approve of you so much. Can you stand travelling alone or doing things alone? If you can, then it shows you love your own company enough, and that’s what will make someone to love spending time with you too. For married people if you have your own space it will help you deal with familiarity in a healthy way. Moments spent alone makes you understand life in a more meaningful way.

4. Do something creative / Get a hobby

Get a chance to do something new and creative. It helps you have a child-like excitement, to making you feel less bored and stuck. It gets your mind active too. Things like riding a bike, reading, painting, joining a volunteering network too can help.

5.Join a small group

Join a collection of people with the same mind and goals with you. Get plugged into activities in your church, join groups that you can serve with your entire heart, this pays off if you are sincere.

6. Wait
Someone said patience is good but the attitude you keep while you’re patient makes all the difference. There is true and false patience, ‘lol’. Don’t freak out ladies, true patience is a sign of faith and confidence that what your waiting for is coming to you.
• And while you waiting keep moving literally, like be active, improve yourself daily make sure you are better, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically (body, spirit and soul) than were you were last year. Good wishes!

 

by
Keep Reading

©2025. WomenofRubies. All Rights Reserved.