The Power of Sister WAVEs

One of the things that I firmly believe is that women need each other. Whether you have sisters by birth or have friends that have become as close as sisters, there is peace and power that comes in knowing that there is someone who gets you, who loves you in whatever you are going through, and who really wants what is best for you. That is one thing I love about being part of Big Ocean Women, is that I have a connection and sisterhood with women from all over. 

One of the ways that this sisterhood is built is through the establishment of Sister WAVEs. There have only been a few so far, but as an organization, we see this as a solution to needs we are finding that women have around the globe. The first Sister WAVE relationship was established in about 2018 between Jos, Nigeria and the Houston, TX, USA WAVE. Fatima and Nikki collaborated on an event, and their relationship has remained strong. Then the Spanish Fork, UT, USA WAVE helped the Buwongo WAVE get fresh water for their village. As explained by Ann Takasaki, “The Spanish Fork WAVE paid for the exploratory drilling and the evaluation. We also helped pay for the actual borehole, but a donor finished paying for a deeper, more productive borehole. Spanish Fork has also helped to market the jewelry that the Buwongo WAVE members have made.” The London WAVE sponsored a new WAVE in Lagos, Nigeria and paid for the women in that WAVE to receive career training. The London WAVE also has a very close relationship with the WAVE in The Gambia.

When asked about the ideal outcomes of a Sister WAVE relationship, Ann Takasaki explained, “The sister-WAVE relationship can be really effective when leaders work together for common projects. Rather than reach out to Big Ocean Women headquarters for funding, the Sister WAVE can step in and provide needed support. The support of the Sister WAVE becomes the ‘project’ of the partner WAVE. This brings the members of the WAVEs together in a mutual, friendship relationship.” 

Gloria Ezeonyeasi of the London WAVE said she desires for all of us to see ourselves as part of one big WAVE; part of a sisterhood. She stressed the importance for new WAVE leaders to be trained correctly and then be willing to share knowledge, information, and resources with Sister WAVEs as they “develop a sense of sisterhood and belonging” and “take ownership of finding solutions to local issues.” Gloria is passionate about “spreading the enlightenment that comes from educating women” and expressed that “our Big Ocean Women tenets are powerful tools for education.” 

As we look back on the decade of impact since Big Ocean Women started, and look forward to building a better and brighter future, we hope to see the establishment of more Sister WAVE relationships. If you are part of a WAVE and want that connection, reach out to leadership for help in establishing a relationship. If you’re not yet part of WAVE, join or start one! You can always attend the Virtual WAVE meeting on the first Wednesday of each month! You can gather, and you can make a difference with and for your sisters!

Lead photo: Gloria with the Camaroon WAVE