MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Tererai Trent, inspirational speaker and founder of the nonprofit organization Tinogona, will speak to more than 600 doctoral students at Walden University's academic residency on Feb. 18 in Atlanta. Her moving story has touched and inspired millions -- including Oprah Winfrey, who chose Dr. Trent as her "all-time favorite guest."
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As a child growing up in a cattle-herding family in rural Zimbabwe, Dr. Trent dreamed of getting an education. Married young, and the mother of three by the age 18, she was bound to a husband who beat her when she expressed her desire to learn. But Dr. Trent was undeterred. She confided her dreams to Jo Luck, a woman in her village who worked with the organization Heifer International. Luck inspired Dr. Trent with the words, "If you desire those things, [they are] achievable."
Despite facing incredible odds and many obstacles, Dr. Trent went on to earn her bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate in the United States. Now, through her nonprofit organization, Tinogona, which means "It is achievable" in her native language, she is working to realize her new dream of creating educational opportunities for girls and women in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Trent has twice appeared as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she reached millions with her powerful messages on the importance of education, women's empowerment and never giving up on your dreams. She has also been featured in "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," a New York Times bestseller written by columnist Nicolas Kristof and Sheryl WuDeen.
Academic residencies at Walden, an accredited online university, support students' academic and professional goals by connecting them with faculty mentors and diverse groups of peers to encourage the vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives. During residencies, students from select doctoral and master's programs have the opportunity to conceptualize and develop research initiatives that contribute to positive social change.
Walden's plenary sessions are an integral part of the residencies and are led by speakers from around the world who share their experiences and viewpoints with the hope of inspiring debate and lively conversation. These sessions are intended to provide Walden students and faculty and staff members with the opportunity to hear perspectives on a variety of topics that are meaningful and relevant to their lives as scholars and practitioners.
Visit www.WaldenU.edu/perspectives for an archive of past Walden speakers.
About Walden University
For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 48,500 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network -- a global network of more than 55 campus-based and online universities in 28 countries.
Walden offers more than 65 degree programs with more than 330 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.
SOURCEWalden University
