While writing the first draft of a recent favorite marketing campaign of

mine, I immediately thought about each Nike campaign that I enjoyed the
most, which all featured female athletes who aimed to reflect the power
of a woman. However, upon second glance, I zoned in on the operative
word, recent. Yesterday we celebrated the International Day of the Girl
(one of the best holidays, in my opinion) around the world. Because of one
social media marketing campaign, in less than 24 hours freedom had a
completely different meaning to me.

The International Day of the Girl has been a national holiday since October 11, 2012, with its
main purpose to address the challenges that girls face, and promote empowerment. The
marketing campaign, which is now one of my single most admired campaigns, was a successful
move by the United Nations and UNICEF to initiate the movement, #FreedomForGirls. The video
features girls from around the world lip-syncing one of Beyonces most powerful verses from
her song, Freedom, a cut from her album Lemonade. The key to this video however, is after
were drawn in by the dancing and pure cuteness, were hit with the real facts. Every five
minutes a girl dies as a result of violence 63 million have undergone female genital mutilation.
One in four girls gets married as a child. Its eye-opening.

When I think about the common thread between this and my other favorite marketing
campaigns, its not the simple fact that it features women that entices me. Its even more than
the fact that I can relate. Each of these make me feel an emotion, think a new thought, and
reflect a little deeper of what it is to be a woman. Whether we are talking about navigating our
spaces, demanding equal pay and just treatment, or increasing the number of minority women in
tech spaces. Yes, the representation is key, but for me, these campaigns provide me with the
necessary reminders I need to go further, and push myself that extra step so I can put myself in
the position to be a thought leader of change in these spaces. As a first-generation
Nigerian-American young woman, I know it will not be easy, but I am up for the challenge.