Scrapbook Poem

Making this scrapbook won’t ruin my day
Although its components are mostly ‘bout pain
From child abuse
To rape at age 2,
To sexual harassment to women who do
Not deserve to be treated in such a manner
Why such stories make the paper leads one to wonder
What readers and editors do to change
The rapid amount of women derailed
From their daily activities and lives for that matter
What can be done? We need to help each other!
Although I’m just scrapbooking, I still have these thoughts.
Boy, I’d be heartless if I did not!
Thank God for programs like RCWG
That take and train girls starting in their teens.
We’re inspired to be leaders despite all odds
The sky is the limit! So what else are we taught?
To be emotionally intelligent and to overcome
Any obstacles, like double standards that just must
Be proven egregious through ALL of our actions
There’s no need for waiting ‘cuz we can SO make this happen!
Begin with connecting the dots with glee. 
And please don’t forget the first one starts with ME!
Continue by supporting each other
Sisterhood and solidarity totally works wonders!
You’ll be shocked to find out that these girls you meet today
Could potentially be the ones to save your lives one day
So make sure you stay in touch and communicate with each other
‘Cuz it’d be nice for more than one for US to be empowered!
So don’t take NO for an answer when it comes to taking a stand
Because the world will soon KNOW we’re inferior to NO man!
Wow, scrapbooking is taking so long
But luckily its inspired me to write this poem!
In the midst of all of the negative articles
There are still some women who succeed in letting us
Know that it’s possible to be empowered
Through education, confidence, and constant challenge hurdles.
So with little time to spare yet so many thoughts
I must conclude to continue my scrapbook!

Poem Written and compiled by

Teniola Olopade
Resource Center for Women and Girls
Camp Allumni