What is Peter doing with all these Women?

Dr. Peter Okaalet, an AIU/NEGST grad, was honored as a Global Health Hero by TIME Magazine in 2005.  He was feted for his relentless work to bridge the gap between medicine and the community in the area of AIDS. Peter is a Ugandan, who has lost three brothers to the pandemic of AIDS. He grew up in a polygamous family with 5 mothers and 22 siblings.  

It’s not strange that Dr. Peter Okaalet appears in a project so committed to women’s issues because he has been a powerful advocate for empowering women to bring change and hope to their communities.  When he was a teenager, his mother was chased from their home by the 5th and youngest wife of his father.  His father issued the ultimatum: “When I get home in the evening you must not be here, and nothing that you own.” His mother gathered up her one dress and few belongings and left.  Peter’s father also told him, “If I ever hear that you have gone to see your mother, I will not pay for your education.”
 
As Peter watched his mother’s courage in the face of losing everything, and grew to realize how disenfranchised women in Africa can be, he committed himself, as a medical doctor, to the cause of women. Peter says, “Socialization in Uganda is negatively biased against women, my sisters carried the firewood, cared for the sick, helped with the family and the boys were free to play sports and be served.”  

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Suzanne F. Stevens
Suzanne F. Stevens

Suzanne F. Stevens ignites leaders & entrepreneurs to cultivate cultures of community conscious-contributions™. Suzanne F. Stevens is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). The CSP is the only earned professional designation for speakers recognized internationally by some 15 speaking associations serving members in over 20 countries. Internationally, only 15% of speakers have earned this designation. Suzanne is one of only sixty-three Canadians who currently hold this designation for speaking excellence. Suzanne F. Stevens is a social entrepreneur, professional speaker, pioneer, host, philanthropist, and soon to be an author. In 2016, thirteen years after founding and leading the Ignite Excellence Inc. Group as President and CEO, she rebranded the organization to The YouMeWe Group. Previously she focused on influencing, differentiating and engaging more people and more business. The YouMeWe Group's primary focus is celebrating, cultivating and co-creating conscious contributions™.

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