Hendrica Okondo: Reflections on history, power and generations of feminist resilience

WISDOM AT WORK: : Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmothers on the Move!

This week, I had the honour of sitting down with Hendrica Okondo, a natural storyteller who makes the phrase 'living memory' resonate, with profundity and humour! Hendrica paints a vivid picture of colonial Kenya and independence, with economic, cultural, human rights and scientific insights and learnings that challenge and delight. Her stories of the women in her family, her studies, and work through the years are not just heartwarming, but lessons in subtle and overt forms of power, and feminism(s) that ripple through generations. From indomitable familial matriarchs (and supportive male figures), to the dichotomies of Catholic observance and her mother's brewing business, don't miss this vibrant journey with Hendrica - from the Beijing women's conference to her current work with young feminists! This episode is a tribute to the continuity we gain from Elderwomen in our movements and communities - and the critical importance of women's voices and agency, an intimate narrative highlighting the profound impact of each generation's experience of oppressive systems, and the nurturing of resilience, liberation and equality.

Support the show

Chapters

1. Power and Feminism (00:00:00)

2. Women's Empowerment Through Reproductive Rights (00:14:29)

3. Struggle for Women's Empowerment (00:19:53)

4. Women's Empowerment Across Generations (00:33:23)