Saturday’s session with Elizabeth Power was a profound and eye-opening experience. She masterfully unpacked the emotional and psychological weight that many of us carry, especially as leaders and advocates navigating difficult environments. She stated that ‘ Appropriate reactions to overwhelming events aren’t evidence of mental disorder; They are evidence of normal reactions to abnormal events.
This truth struck a deep chord in me. It reframed how I think about my own emotions and those of others, replacing shame with compassion. It reminded me that healing isn’t linear and leadership isn’t about being “unshakable” but about being honest, empathetic, and grounded.
Elizabeth also walked us through the long-term impacts of trauma including disrupted learning, risky behaviors, difficulty managing emotions, and the loss of trust. What stood out to me most was her focus on how trauma affects connection and how it makes communication and relationships more difficult. As someone working in gender equality and education, it made me reflect deeply on the hidden struggles of the communities I seek to serve.
But the session wasn’t just heavy. It was also deeply uplifting. We were invited into a beautiful exercise of storytelling, sharing moments tied to places, gifts, food, and music. These small but powerful stories reminded us that joy is an act of resistance and connection is a form of healing.
Elizabeth Power didn’t just deliver a lecture. She created a space for reflection, truth-telling, and restoration. I walked away reminded that leadership rooted in trauma awareness isn’t soft. It’s revolutionary.
Regards
Haadiyah issifu (Ganha)-Reflection