Manhattan

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NICE NAILANTEI LENG'ETE 

Nice Nailantei Leng'ete is the founder of Nice Place Foundation, award-winning activist and International Postcode Lottery Ambassador. Named among TIME MAGAZINE 100 most influential leaders, Nice aims at eradicating the practice of Female Genital Mutilation as a rite of passage among the Maasai community. Her Nice Place Foundation is not only a shelter for young women fleeing the cut, but also a place of education and activism. Her vision is to empower young Maasai girls to fight for an alternative rite of passage and women's rights in general.

Over 20,000 girls escaped the cut with the help of Nice Place

Nice's story is one of persistence, hope and change, as she is well respected among both male and female members of the Maasai community, and so far has helped over 20,000 girls to escape FGM.

SPEAK, ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT SPOKEN TO

The Speech Republic team worked together with a cohort of Nice Place Foundation alumni, young women who fought hard to get the opportunity to finish high school and were now ready to embark on their next adventure. Future Maasai lawyers, farmers, teachers, doctors. Young women with hopes and dreams, living in a context in which the price for these dreams can be social exclusion or worse.

The inherent strength of these young women is touching and inspiring.

It takes courage to find your voice. And then to use it.

These young women reaffirmed just how powerful a voice can be when it is used to not only speak up for oneself, but for an entire community. When it is used to challenge the status quo for the greater good. Not because they were told to, but because they found the courage to do so and in their own way - and this in a community where they are literally expected to only speak, when spoken to.

At The Speech Republic, we celebrate those who dare to speak up to change the world. Something that is more easily said than done. These young women showed us once more the courage it takes to do so. The courage to find your voice. And then to use it.

Interested in supporting Nice Place Foundation? Please take a look at www.niceplacefoundation.org