Particularly interested in girls’ paths to receiving an education, Ms. Young interviewed a wide range of educators, students, and community members to learn about the pedagogy, culture, and traditions in Wolaita. From there, she partnered with local teachers and professors at Wolaita Sodo University to research and develop a curriculum on female equity and inclusion that could be implemented at schools in the region.

“We wanted to support the narrative that women are valued and productive members of the community through the curriculum. One solution we found was to incorporate gender messages in gender equality clubs which are mandatory in preparatory and secondary schools. In these safe and open spaces, we saw there was an opportunity to educate students on women’s issues and offer an outlet for discussion and support,” said Ms. Young.

With the goal of educating both sexes on women’s rights and equality, the program seeks to educate on reproductive health, hygiene, and sexuality, while creating male allies and promoting solidarity between genders. Ms. Young will continue to partner with Ethiopian educators and professors at Wolaita Sodo University throughout the 2017–2018 school year to refine the curriculum, adjust accordingly, and mentor teachers on gender equity issues.

Ms. Young’s work will also be implemented in select American classrooms with a focus on gender roles, culture, and the advancement of women’s advocacy in Ethiopia to give students a true idea of what agency looks like in that part of the world. Professors from Wolaita Sodo University will visit the United States as part of the project and be in continuous communication with their American counterparts to ensure the curriculum is a success.

An overwhelmingly positive experience for Ms. Young, she reflects on how the trip made her a better educator for Ellis students. She says, “as a teacher, I have to leave my comfort zone to understand other cultures so I can enhance my own perspective. Because of the trip, I have more dynamic experiences to share with students that I couldn’t have learned through a powerpoint. The people I met, the conversations I had, the things I saw—it really challenged me to think about what it means to be an impactful educator and an empowered woman.”

Looking ahead, Ms. Young is hopeful that the curriculum will engage Ethiopian students and teachers in honest discourse about societal challenges related to gender. She also plans to create programming that will partner Ellis with the Abba Pascal School for Girls in Ethiopia so students can learn from each other from across the world.

“My trip to Ethiopia provided a different perspective on the world and how it’s changing. I saw so many examples of women’s leadership, whether it was a woman who challenged her husband on how money was spent or from the teachers at the schools. It was really interesting to see how women acquire and exercise agency in other parts of the world, and I feel fortunate that I can share these experiences with Ellis students.”