Written by:
Memora Visuals

Five Women Reflect on What It Means to Be Defined by Yourself

Every year, International Women’s Day invites the world to celebrate women – their
strength, their resilience, their achievements. But beyond celebration lies a deeper question:
who gets to define what it means to be a woman?

For many women, that definition has long been shaped by expectations – how to behave,
how to succeed, how to belong.

But across different paths and seasons of life, more women are reclaiming that narrative and
defining themselves on their own terms.

For this International Women’s Day, we spoke with five women from different walks of life –
a civil engineer and new mother, a young entrepreneur in the beauty industry, a teacher
pursuing graduate studies abroad, a beauty founder who built her own path, and a young
professional driven by service.

Each voice offers a different perspective, yet together they tell one story: womanhood is not
a single definition. It is a journey each woman writes for herself.

YOLESI MUHINDO

Civil Engineer, Wife, and New Mother

For Yolesi Muhindo, womanhood is deeply rooted in nurturing – a quiet strength that shapes
families, homes, and communities.

“To me, a woman is a nurturer, a safe space and a source of beauty and comfort.”

Yet her journey toward understanding that truth was not always easy.

Growing up in a society that often measures worth through appearances and material
success, Yolesi once felt that she did not meet the standards expected of her. The pressure
to fit into certain ideals of beauty and lifestyle made her question her value.

But over time, life taught her a different perspective.

She came to realize that womanhood is not defined by appearances or possessions, but by
the ability to show kindness, offer comfort, and create meaningful change in the lives of
others.

“I realized that true womanhood is not defined by appearances or material things. It is
about kindness, being a safe space for others, and bringing joy into homes and
communities.”

Six months ago, her life entered a new chapter – motherhood.
Becoming a mother to a baby girl has expanded her understanding of love, strength, and
responsibility. It has also deepened her belief that women shape the world in profound
ways.

“As women, we shape our homes first, and from there, our societies.”

Grounded in her Christian faith, Yolesi sees her life as a calling to nurture, grow, and live with
purpose.

In her own words:

“I am a wife, a mother, a civil engineer, and above all, a Christian woman living with
purpose.”

MAITHYA SHARON

Self-Employed in the Beauty Industry

At just 21 years old, Maithya Sharon reflects on womanhood with a depth that comes from
self-awareness and quiet growth.

To her, a woman is not simply defined by expectations or roles.

“A woman is depth – a combination of tenderness and strength.”

Like many young women, Sharon once found herself chasing validation and perfection,
believing she had to meet certain standards to feel worthy.

But eventually, she realized that waiting for approval from others only limited her growth.

“The moment I understood that waiting for validation would only shrink me, I decided to
grow quietly into who I truly am.”

Her current season of life is one of patience and reflection. Faith has played a significant role
in shaping the woman she is becoming – teaching her to trust both God and herself.

One misconception about women that she strongly challenges is the belief that emotions
make women less rational.

“Emotion is not the opposite of intelligence. Emotional depth often brings wisdom,
empathy, and clarity.”

For Sharon, embracing femininity means embracing softness – not as weakness, but as
strength.

“Softness is not weakness.”

Her journey is still unfolding, but she describes herself with quiet confidence:

“I am a woman who is quietly becoming everything God intended her to be.”

CHRISTINE ATIENO OSOME

Teacher, MBA Student in the Netherlands, and Mother

For Christine Atieno Osome, the word woman carries a profound meaning.

“To me, a woman is life itself – constantly growing, adapting, and giving.”

Currently pursuing an MBA at Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands,
Christine reflects on womanhood through the lens of motherhood, personal growth, and
life’s evolving stages.

Becoming a mother was a defining moment in her journey. It reminded her that while
women carry many roles, they must also choose themselves and define their identity
beyond expectations.

“I realized that while I hold many roles in life, I must also choose myself.”

Her current season of life is one of balance – nurturing her family while continuing to nurture
her own growth and ambitions.

“I am learning to nurture others while also nurturing the woman and the little girl within
me.”

Christine also challenges the idea that women must fit into a single definition.

“A woman can be nurturing, ambitious, gentle, strong, and evolving all at once.”

For her, womanhood is not a fixed identity but a journey that grows and transforms with
time.

As she reflects on her life today, she describes herself simply:

“I am a woman who carries life in many forms.”

LAVENDER KHABETSA

Founder and Lead Makeup Artist, Sleek Makeovers

Lavender Khabetsa’s journey is one of bold redirection and self-definition.
When she hears the word woman, she does not think of expectations or roles.

“To me, a woman is grace in motion – strength wrapped in softness.”

Originally trained in geology, Lavender began her career path in what she believed would be
a traditional corporate journey. But during an internship in Olkaria, Naivasha, she
encountered harsh working conditions, professional uncertainty, and repeated setbacks.

Scholarship applications failed. Opportunities did not materialize as expected.

That difficult season forced her to confront an important question:

“Is this truly my path, or just the one I prepared for?”

Instead of forcing herself into a life that no longer felt aligned, she turned toward something
she genuinely loved – makeup artistry.

What began as a survival decision slowly transformed into purpose.

Today, Lavender is the FOUNDER and LEAD MAKEUP ARTIST behind SLEEK MAKEOVERS,
where she creates timeless luxury beauty experiences.

“Redirection is not failure – it is alignment.”

Her journey taught her that success does not require abandoning femininity.

“I remind myself that I do not have to harden to succeed.”

For Lavender, womanhood is about embracing both ambition and grace.

“To be defined by yourself is to take ownership of your narrative – confidently and without
apology.”

REHEMA YASINDA

Young Professional and Community Advocate

For Rehema, womanhood is closely tied to service and impact.

“A woman is a nurturer, a moulder, a pillar and a change maker.”

Growing up, she followed the rules and pursued success within the expectations placed
before her. But in her early twenties, she realized that true fulfilment required stepping
beyond the system she had always followed.

Serving communities became the turning point.

Through her work and involvement in initiatives that support others – including advocacy for
children with special needs – she discovered a deeper sense of purpose.

“I realized I am a social person and a risk taker. I found my tribe while serving.”

Her current season has taught her the importance of standing up not only for herself, but
also for those who may not have a voice.

“Not everyone has the opportunity to defend themselves. That inspired me to speak for
others in my own small ways.”

Like many of the women in this conversation, she believes femininity does not require
abandoning softness.

“I don’t abandon my softness to be taken seriously – I protect it, because it is part of my
strength.”

If she could define herself in one sentence, she says simply:

“A woman called to be a change maker.”

A SHARED REFLECTION

Though their journeys are different – spanning motherhood, entrepreneurship, education,
and service – one truth emerges clearly from these conversations.

Womanhood cannot be confined to a single narrative.

It is found in quiet resilience, in bold pivots, in nurturing families, in building businesses, in
serving communities, and in rediscovering oneself through every stage of life.

Each of these women reminds us that being defined by yourself is not always easy.

Sometimes it looks like starting over.

Sometimes it looks like rejecting expectations.

Sometimes it looks like growing quietly into the person you were meant to become.

But it is always powerful.

MEMORA CLOSING

To be Defined by Herself is not about rejecting the world – it is about reclaiming authorship
of your own life.

These women remind us that identity is not something handed down by society. It is
something shaped through choices, faith, resilience, and courage.

And perhaps that is the most powerful definition of all:

A woman is not simply who the world expects her to be.

SHE IS WHO SHE CHOOSES TO BECOME.