Change her story

Join us in crafting a collaborative story about empowering women. Anyone can tweet the next line in the story by clicking on "Tweet the Next Line." Journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn have started the story, and the rest is up to you to write.

103 people have changed her story

Radhika

Many years later, as she clutched her MA diploma, Radhika recalled the morning her mom told her to drop out of school.

@NickKristof

8-Mar-13, 10:30 am

She was then in the third grade, ranking second in a class of 52.

@WuDunn

8-Mar-13, 10:35 am

Her mother was insistent: School fees were unaffordable, and she was needed to fetch water and firewood.

@NickKristof

8-Mar-13, 10:40 am

Anyway, why would a village girl need an education?

@WuDunn

8-Mar-13, 10:45 am

Radhika had cried her heart out then, feeling like a goat led to slaughter, but the day turned into a new beginning.

@NickKristof

8-Mar-13, 10:50 am

When Radhika went to school & told her teacher she'd have to drop out, he was very upset. Radhika was one of his star pupils.

@SenGillibrand

8-Mar-13, 10:57 am

She knew then that without an education she would be eligible for early marriage. She wasn't yet ready to become a mother.

@CTurlington

8-Mar-13, 11:10 am

As her teacher saw tears roll down her face, he thought of his own daughter. He knew he had to do something to help.

@digitalori

8-Mar-13, 11:18 am

Radhika deserved a future full of choices that her mother currently didn't have.

@OpportunityIntl

8-Mar-13, 11:29 am

Her teacher set up a meeting with Radhika's mother, Aarushi, to discuss ways to keep her daughter in school.

@annuwright

8-Mar-13, 11:34 am

He explained that if Radhika became a child bride, she'd be sentenced to a life of poverty. Her children would be as well.

@CARE

8-Mar-13, 11:36 am

Aarushi wanted the best for her daughter, but needed help with household chores, as well. She decided to make a sacrifice.

@ReneeMuza

8-Mar-13, 11:37 am

So Radhika and her mother made a deal: if Radhika finished her chores before school, she could finish her primary education.

@VitalVoices

8-Mar-13, 11:39 am

Radhika didn't know about her teacher's visit.  But she could tell her mother had changed. 

@CLazaridi

8-Mar-13, 11:42 am

Radhika was so happy to have the chance to pursue an education, and to change the course of her life, and her family's life.

@CreatingHopeInt

8-Mar-13, 11:47 am

Aarushi still had to convince her husband, Amol, that it was beneficial for Radhika to stay in school, though.

@iDiplomacy

8-Mar-13, 11:47 am

There seemed to be a sadness and fear that cloaked a harsh truth.

@Bennett1joshua

8-Mar-13, 11:48 am

Radhika's mother explained to her father the importance of keeping her in school, delaying marriage & childbirth.

@PathfinderInt

8-Mar-13, 11:50 am

Aarushi often seemed tired and sad, but now there was determination in her eyes.

@JennCodyEpstein

8-Mar-13, 11:52 am

But her father didn't care. There was a rich older man who had taken an interest in marrying Radhika.

@EddieKuspiel

8-Mar-13, 11:52 am

She said, "If Radhika stays in school, she will have more life opportunities. She'll be more likely to use familyplanning."

@Purnima_Mane

8-Mar-13, 11:53 am

Her father shouted "Don't tell me how to raise our daughter!" His breath reeked of liquor.

@Bennett1joshua

8-Mar-13, 11:59 am

Aarushi realized she needed to fight for Radhika to have a better life than the one she has.

@agomezvidal

8-Mar-13, 12:07 pm

Her father stormed out of the house yelling, "School is a bad idea, but... 

@ThreadsWW

8-Mar-13, 12:10 pm

... if she learns how to run my business I could be persuaded" 

@jchermay

8-Mar-13, 12:14 pm

Radhika needed to help in the house, and in her fathers business. But what did she want to do? 

@palmerthree

8-Mar-13, 12:22 pm

Radhika was saddened for upsetting her father so much, but refused to give up on her dream.  

@RafikiYaAfrika

8-Mar-13, 12:24 pm

An education would lead her to exciting opportunities she couldn't yet imagine.  

@Ro_Mannino

8-Mar-13, 12:26 pm

Her mother mustered all the courage she had and said with a shaky voice "she is my daughter too and I wont allow this"

@KashfFoundation

8-Mar-13, 12:26 pm

...to continue." Amol was taken aback by his wife's audacity, but she stood firm, saying: 

@stephbarnhart

8-Mar-13, 12:33 pm

"Radhika will stay in school. Maybe one day she'll start her own business!"

@BedeliaBane

8-Mar-13, 12:44 pm

Amol began to think. Could school be a good thing for his daughter? He had never considered... 

@Meirabb

8-Mar-13, 12:58 pm

that a daughter could take any path other than the familiar and timeworn.

@lisabelkin

8-Mar-13, 1:02 pm

Amol looked into his daughter's eyes, and said, "Very well, then. Radhika, you may stay in school."

@EngenderHealth

8-Mar-13, 1:38 pm

It was the begining of a young entrepreneur's journey.

@beaescrina

8-Mar-13, 1:38 pm

But now her parents would have to be convinced to invest in her education. She needed books and 

@tatilam

8-Mar-13, 1:41 pm

a school uniform.

@BedeliaBane

8-Mar-13, 1:52 pm

What she thought was the end, it turned to be a new beginning..

@beaescrina

8-Mar-13, 1:54 pm

The school was 10 miles away but she found a friend to walk with each day so she felt safe.

@Sarah1976

8-Mar-13, 1:55 pm

But she had the most important tool: her mind.

@Cairo67Unedited

8-Mar-13, 1:56 pm

She began to believe in a future far greater than what she had ever imagined.

@pmherbst

8-Mar-13, 1:59 pm

And a very important ally: the will that would help her pursue her goal.

@RvkPG

8-Mar-13, 1:59 pm

She was nervous during her first class, but soon she was raising her hand for every question 

@jennamatecki

8-Mar-13, 1:59 pm

The friend offered to pay fees, as well as buy much-needed materials for the entire school.

@jodeet

8-Mar-13, 2:01 pm

One day, on her way home from school, Radhika ran into her Uncle Anush who was walking with a rich looking older man.

@Bennett1joshua

8-Mar-13, 2:01 pm

"Radhika, I'd like you to meet Sanjay he has been looking forward to meeting you" said uncle Anush

@EddieKuspiel

8-Mar-13, 2:03 pm

Just by the look he gave her, she knew what he was up to.

@FrancoisHGH

8-Mar-13, 2:12 pm

Radhika was nervous. 'Looking forward to meeting her?' 

@reloweeda

8-Mar-13, 2:15 pm

"We are grateful that he has come meet you before marrying you."  

@fata_dragonului

8-Mar-13, 2:16 pm

But for the first time in her life she knew she would be able to stand up for herself. 

@rubysplayground

8-Mar-13, 2:16 pm

Radhika forced a smile, though it felt like the ground was dropping out from under her. 

@NYUADWomen

8-Mar-13, 2:16 pm

Her mind was spinning as she tried to decide whether to run or make a statement about being in school.

@dafna_m

8-Mar-13, 2:17 pm

When she met him Radhika told him how much she enjoyed school & that she doesn't want to get married.

@GEMSGIRLS

8-Mar-13, 2:17 pm

Radika could feel the flame of her dreams flicker. Pettengill

@heartcentered

8-Mar-13, 2:19 pm

The men quietly chuckled to themselves thinking her bold but believing they could control her future.

@dafna_m

8-Mar-13, 2:19 pm

To her surprise, a lively discussion ensued; to his surprise, he liked debating with her. 

@jedeviens

8-Mar-13, 2:23 pm

She said that she didn't mean to be rude but that she wanted to create a new life for herself.

@swhitbo

8-Mar-13, 2:24 pm

She was strong and stayed true to her heart.

@naorah

8-Mar-13, 2:27 pm

She told him that she had a dream that one day all girls could create new lives for themselves 

@grumblingramma

8-Mar-13, 2:29 pm

This time the men laughed out loud and grabbed her by the arm.   

@nminian

8-Mar-13, 2:32 pm

What Rahdika didn't know is that he was the man responsible for her school sponsorship.

@SuzyHogtanyan

8-Mar-13, 2:32 pm

She yelled that her dream entailed earning her own money and being able to take care of herself!

@GEMSGIRLS

8-Mar-13, 2:34 pm

For isn't that all anyone wants? To lead a self-chosen life, a life built on courage.

@kaylenduarte

8-Mar-13, 2:38 pm

Rahdika often looked back on that day. Her unexpected boldness changed the course of her life. 

@SMcFeatters

8-Mar-13, 2:46 pm

With the opportunity for education, Radhika knew she wouldn't be forced to live as a housewife. 

@therealkro

8-Mar-13, 2:46 pm

It was a dream that she would never lose sight of.

@__JustinLee__

8-Mar-13, 2:46 pm

And the woman who smiles knows she was right and he should have listened to her. :D

@RallyinCulture

8-Mar-13, 2:50 pm

Radhika knew she had a clue. She found others too & they made circles to tell stories, sing, dance, drum, & play music. Yea!

@cleulady

8-Mar-13, 2:51 pm

She knew she must not let their attiude change her goals, she would make her dreams a reality

@carolinelacey89

8-Mar-13, 2:51 pm

After years of hard work Radhika finally finished primary school.

@stodky

8-Mar-13, 2:54 pm

Radhika's teacher found her a scholarship at a boarding school in Cairo. She was accepted.  

@annuwright

8-Mar-13, 2:57 pm

if she is not afraid

@Geekkatze

8-Mar-13, 2:58 pm

Radhika learned about a micro loan program that would allow her mother to sell her goods.

@DavidCorbin5

8-Mar-13, 2:59 pm

But the idea of moving away didn't sit well with her parents. Who would help with the chores? 

@ebonyjohanna

8-Mar-13, 2:59 pm

Who would pick mangoes? They had 12 mango trees (funded by the microloan) & harvest time was nearing.

@Half

8-Mar-13, 3:13 pm

She needed to make a choice - one that would change her life.  

@michelleAC1

8-Mar-13, 3:21 pm

It was difficult for her to go so far away, because she knew they needed her.

@MojicaSofia

8-Mar-13, 3:27 pm

At the same time she thought about what her life would be had she not take advantage of this.

@MelBus

8-Mar-13, 3:28 pm

However, this time, it was Amol who realized they had come too far to hold Radikha back.  

@soni15

8-Mar-13, 3:31 pm

Fortunately, her brothers, who were proud of Radhika's achievements, chipped in so she can go.

@fgcnp

8-Mar-13, 3:35 pm

So, she set off to Cairo, with her big, beautiful dreams.

@Swipe4Humanity

8-Mar-13, 3:42 pm

Radhika knew in the long run her education would financially help her family most.

@samschoenfeld

8-Mar-13, 3:45 pm

Radikha knew that she was lucky. Lucky to have a chance to change her life where others couldnt

@cdelshad

8-Mar-13, 3:46 pm

Cairo...Al Qahir: Venus was going to Mars, and it would be she who became victorious!

@usdew

8-Mar-13, 4:03 pm

She was thrilled to be able to learn bufelt guilty that the she was abandoning her family..

@scriber09

8-Mar-13, 4:07 pm

Her mother choked back tears and told Radhika that indeed she was honoring not abandoning her family.

@dafna_m

8-Mar-13, 4:11 pm

"Had I the chance, I would have made the same decision," echoed Aarushi's whispered goodbye. 

@SarahGorb

8-Mar-13, 5:13 pm

Radhika then understood the true magnitude of the opportunity that stood before her.

@HoodRad

8-Mar-13, 5:28 pm

Radhika found strength and renewal within her mother's courage and in the example she serves for her younger sisters.

@DrStrickland

8-Mar-13, 5:50 pm

Today was the first day of the rest of her life.

@sudol

8-Mar-13, 5:52 pm

She smiled. This moment, of love and admiration, encouraged Radhika to continue the pursuit of her dream.

@LoveAnaStarr

8-Mar-13, 5:56 pm

The road to opportunity laid out before her; it wasn't going to be easy, but she knew its worth.

@jrstrange

8-Mar-13, 6:10 pm

"You have made me proud, Radhika," he said. "I was wrong. The timeworn way is not always best." 

@Fistula_Fdtn

8-Mar-13, 7:37 pm

Yes, as she saw the pride and hope in her fathers's eyes, she knew it was worth it.

@DrKarenJackson

8-Mar-13, 7:25 pm

Radhika was confused, overwhelmed and excited all at once. She was on her way. 

@_JohannaSalazar

8-Mar-13, 8:02 pm

She would make them even more proud, by making the most of this opportunity. 

@sheytowherever

8-Mar-13, 8:28 pm

And now she could begin to see her dream become a reality. Her future would no longer be predetermined by her gender.

@SavetheChildren

8-Mar-13, 10:03 pm

And she learned to dream her life ,until her dream become reality!!!!

@giset80

8-Mar-13, 11:45 pm

And she needed a new dream.

@giset80

8-Mar-13, 11:47 pm

However, she learned that not all girls are so lucky to come to the city of 1000 minarets by choice.

@JeffChowChiFai

9-Mar-13, 12:00 am

She thought about other girls in the village and how they might be able to pursue their dreams. 

@ankurvgarg

9-Mar-13, 12:05 am

She decided to invite all girls in her village to write down their Dream on a big white wall.

@Glowingcom

9-Mar-13, 9:13 am

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