As anyone knows who knows me, I have always found much more than connection in the company of women. No matter how different our places and circumstances of birth, chosen work or profession, our current priorities, or even, our politics, I most often find that we have more in common than what divides us.
Given how divergent and polarizing the current political landscape in the US has become, that feeling has become more elusive, but I cling to an essential faith that something in a woman’s way of living, of loving, and of leading is our power, a power that is most effective when practiced in ways that benefit and support other women.
We do this when we choose to come together, to share our stories and life experiences; we do this when we show up for colleagues, support, sponsor, promote, mentor, and when all the choices we make are ones that support and strengthen the empowerment and success of other women. I am not naive about the challenges or the realities, particularly in today’s divisive and polarized environment, but I have had enough experiences to sustain my belief that choosing to come together with purpose and intention creates a kind of alchemy that bridges differences and leads to positive outcomes.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing here some of my experiences with women’s convenings that I've been privileged to participate in, to curate and co-create. This week, I'm sharing the experience of Roar Africa's women’s empowerment retreat, this year in Botswana. These retreats were created by the founder/CEO of Roar Africa, Deborah Calmeyer, to offer a unique opportunity (by invitation) to connect with African women leaders, to learn about their work, to elevate and support their initiatives, programs, progress, and — through these learning journeys in Africa’s sacred and beautiful places — to create collective actions for positive change.
Deb, herself, describes the week’s purpose and programs best, so I’m sharing an excerpt from her newsletter below which she appropriately titled this week: “Choose Women!”
Excerpt: Roar Africa’s Dispatch from Botswana
What if the most powerful thing you could do for women…
was to choose women?
Contemporary culture and history have taught us how deeply women have internalized the patriarchy—how we unwittingly reinforce it by constantly choosing men when we could choose women. Is your doctor, lawyer, pilot, guide, ranger, travel advisor, chef, or OBGYN a woman? Are you making these choices consciously, so our daughters and granddaughters can inherit a more equitable world? How do we break free and discover the integrity and wholeness we seek if we don’t start by choosing one another?
Choice is, after all, a form of power — and this year’s retreat reminded me that every choice we make, from where we stay, who we hire, who we listen to, becomes part of a broader story…
For every Women’s Empowerment Retreat, we actively seek out lodges that have a strong female presence — places where women have been chosen to lead, fly, guide, cook, design, track. When we first asked Xigera if they had a female guide, the answer was no. But they listened and acted, identifying, nurturing, and training Tshepo Phokoje. Supported by Women in Tourism Botswana, she made the leap from photography to guiding and is now Xigera’s first female guide — a reminder of what can happen when women are chosen. She is the future we are building.
At the heart of our Women’s Empowerment Retreat are the women whose voices rise not for recognition, but to raise others. This year’s speakers brought wisdom, clarity and grace to the room, and left us all changed. We heard from Malaki Q-Maundo, the extraordinary Front of House Manager at Xigera, whose journey from detective to hospitality trainee to manager inspired us all with its humility and clarity of purpose; from Ednah Rosen, a culinary visionary whose passion for Botswana’s food heritage is rekindling cultural pride and economic opportunity; and Captain Kgomotso Phatsima, one of Botswana’s first female military pilots and founder of Dare to Dream, a remarkable initiative that creates access and opportunity for women in fields where they’ve been historically shut out – the very core of why I created this movement.
“I am truly humbled to have been one of the speakers. It was one of those defining moments in my career. Thank you for believing in me and making my voice matter.”
Alongside them, many other extraordinary women shared their journeys. Each voice added a new dimension: the importance of advocacy, the necessity of action and the enduring truth that our credo holds: “When African women rise, wildlife will thrive.” Whether through tourism, conservation, education, art or community development, each woman illuminated what it truly means to lead with purpose.
I believe this is the true impact – a quiet revolution, led by women, sustained by choice.
Warm Regards,
Deborah & the Roar Africa Team
This year’s Women’s Empowerment Retreat participants in Botswana. (Credit: Roar Africa)
I returned from Botswana, as I always do from my visits to the continent, more inspired and energized for the challenges here at home. African countries and specifically the African women I have come to know and admire over the many years of my time on the continent, are leading forward through their challenges with a sense of urgency and purpose and passion. They model the solidarity that makes collective action possible. There is much to be learned from the ways they “choose women” and the many ways that they work together reflect that great african proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. but if you want to go far, go together.”
I “choose women” and our special ways of leading for both fast and far forward movement towards a more just, more equitable and sustainable future.
If you want to participate in Roar Africa’s next Journeys With Women, the sixth Women’s Empowerment Retreat will take place February 16 - 21, 2027, at Singita Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania. To learn more about the retreat, contact welcome@roarafrica.com.
Next week, come with me to Colombia and the Women Working For The World forum.
Onward!
- Pat
