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Kenyan Feminist Who Pushed For Education To Speak In Katonah

KATONAH, N.Y. -- Known across the world for her efforts to provide an education to young girls and women, Kakenya Ntaiya will attend a reception and present a talk at the Katonah Village Library on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Kakenya Ntaiya, pictured, will speak at the Katonah Village Library.

Kakenya Ntaiya, pictured, will speak at the Katonah Village Library.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Kakenya Ntaiya, pictured, will speak at the Katonah Village Library.

Kakenya Ntaiya, pictured, will speak at the Katonah Village Library.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Kakenya Ntaiya, pictured, will speak at the Katonah Village Library.

Kakenya Ntaiya, pictured, will speak at the Katonah Village Library.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Ntaiya's presentation, which begins at 7:30 p.m., "Courage! Empowerment! Social justice," tells the story of how she made a deal with her father that she would undergo a traditional Maasai rite of passage, female circumcision, if he would let her go to high school. 

Ntaiya tells the fearless story of continuing on to college, and of working with her village elders to build a school for girls in her community, changing the destiny of over 200 young women.

The girl who grew up without electricity earned her doctorate in education and is now a passionate activist for girls’ education. She has experienced firsthand the freedom and opportunity afforded a secondary education, and now she’s realizing her dream to provide the same for the girls of Enoosaen. 

In May 2009, thirty-two girls from the region enrolled at the Kakenya Center for Excellence, the girls’ school Kakenya built in her village. Now, 170 girls attend KCE. Thirty-seven of them are sponsored by a local Katonah organization, the Katonah Education Exchange Program, whose mission is to keep girls in school. 

The KEEP team members include Ruthie Rosenberg, Celeste Crosby, Elena Rover, Elizabeth McGoldrick and Cynthia Braun. 

The Katonah Village Library is at 26 Bedford Road. The event is free and open to the public. 

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