Breaking Barriers: My Journey from Power Lines to Equations

I was a little girl with a big dream — to step into spaces where people said women didn’t belong. While others imagined a “safe” path, I chose the challenge: Electrical Engineering. I still remember the first day I walked into a classroom filled with men, some doubting my presence, others silently wondering if I could endure. I smiled… and stayed.

The journey was far from smooth. There were days when I had to prove myself twice as much, speak twice as loud, and work twice as hard just to be seen as “enough.” I carried heavy tools, solved stubborn circuits, and pushed through moments where my confidence was tested. But I never let go of my belief — that determination can outshine doubt.

Then came the moment that changed everything. Despite being surrounded by men, many older and more experienced, I was chosen as Head of Department (HOD). That day, I didn’t just earn a title. I broke a wall that had stood for years, and I knew — this victory wasn’t mine alone. It was for every woman who had been told “you can’t.”

Today, my path has taken me from power lines to classrooms. As a Mathematics teacher, I see in my students the same spark I once had. I tell my girls that numbers are not hard, that intelligence has no gender, and that their dreams are valid — no matter how impossible they may seem.

This story is my voice. But it’s also the voice of countless women who refuse to give up. I share it hoping to inspire — and yes, I hope it will be considered for the Best Story Award. Not for recognition alone, but so our voices, our struggles, and our triumphs will echo louder… for every woman still fighting her way forward.