I raced to the mailbox, yanking it open. Quickly flipping through assorted bills, advertisements, and other boring adult things, I finally found what I was looking for: the most recent issue of Highlights magazine. I was eight years old and always looked forward to this monthly treat. I would scour its pages, looking for stories to engross me, cartoons to entertain me, and information to educate me. By the time I had reached middle school, Highlights had been replaced by a new friend: TIME for Kids, a weekly classroom supplement delivered each Friday by my Language Arts teacher. Regular schoolwork would be postponed as we were allowed to peruse its pages, enthralled by news stories relating recent scientific discoveries and ideas of cultural or historical significance. Nostalgia aside, as an (almost) adult, I now recognize how integral these magazines were in fostering my spirited passion for academia, something that continued throughout my childhood, adolescence, and into my collegiate career. It has helped me to grow into an active thinker, passionate about devouring information and using it to have a positive impact on the world.
Magazines are exciting – the glossy pages, the colorful pictures, the special features. When geared towards adolescents, a publication can represent the perfect marriage of fun and educational benefit. For example, one of my favorite features in Highlights was the weekly “Goofus and Gallant” cartoon, designed to contrast the indecorous actions of one boy against the good behaviors of another. While entertaining to read, it was simultaneously informative. It was not only a lesson in propriety and manners but also in vocabulary. Few seven-year-olds understand the word “gallant!”
While I – and, for the record, most of my friends – had abundant access to resources like magazines throughout my childhood, this privilege is not extended universally within the US, let alone in the developing world. The educational opportunity afforded by my parents’ thought and ability to purchase Highlights is not readily available to the young girls that Memunatu aims to serve. In developing regions, there are more urgent challenges for parents to worry about than a magazine for their daughters. They’re usually focusing on fulfilling basic needs: feeding, clothing, and sheltering their children.
As a human being and especially as a woman, I’m passionate about equality and empowerment for everyone. Unfortunately, girls in the developing world do not usually have the same opportunities as their first-world counterparts. I am motivated to work in women and girls’ empowerment because of this discrepancy; young girls should have increased access to educational, leadership, and equal opportunities. I want girls to experience the same wonder, excitement, and joy I received from my childhood magazine subscriptions. Memunatu fills that void, providing girls with a service that can help foster a love of learning – a lifetime appreciation that will carry them into personal and professional success. I’m excited to spend my summer with Memunatu to encourage other great thinkers in in West Africa to think and dream bigger.
By Olivia S.
Editorial Intern
