Mojisola Adewumi (center) and her co-workers at the Upper Keys YMCA Program center. (Photo courtesy of Mojisola Adewumi)
The College of Arts and Sciences Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS), advocates for feminist ideals through education, research, and practical application. By bridging academics with social, political, and economic issues, the department provides diverse coursework for all students.
The department offers the Women’s and Gender Studies MA program, which encourages graduate students to engage in career-oriented internships that contribute to local organizations. Second-year master’s student Mojisola Adewumi is a testament to this encouragement, pursuing an internship that resonated not only with her academic interests but her personal passions.
In selecting her internship placement, Adewumi wanted to dedicate her time to a nonprofit organization focused on fostering sustainable development for low-income families addressing their health, social, and economic needs. She selected the Upper Keys YMCA Program Center (YMCA) in Key Largo, Fla. as her chosen organization because of its numerous programs and initiatives that met her internship criteria.
What captivated Adewumi about the YMCA in particular was its partnership with the National Park Services (NPS), an initiative advocating for the preservation and restoration of natural and cultural resources.
“I was fascinated by the YMCA and the NPS’ innovative approach for preservation while also promoting social inclusion, to foster understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. I gained a deeper understanding of the YMCA and NPS' emphasis on empowering youth, promoting social justice, and promoting peace through four key areas - health, employment, environment, and civic engagement,” Adewumi explained. “As part of its mission, the YMCA provides a platform for cultural exchange and learning that enables young people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to achieve their full potential. According to research, these strategies are more effective at reducing specific risks to youth and communities, improving resilience, and building stronger communities.”
Adewumi’s supported the Youth Outdoors Initiative Program, created by the YMCA and NPS’ partnership.
“This program engages thousands of underserved youths in 16 cities across the country in outdoor recreation, conservation, and service-learning experiences at their nearby national parks and in their respective communities throughout the fall and summer months,” Adewumi said.
During her internship Adewumi took charge of various responsibilities for youths such as, creating environmental stewardship and STEM related activities, planning and executing summer and fall activities that aligned with YMCA and NPS’ principles, and providing administrative support for the day-to-day operations of the Youth Outdoors Initiative.
Looking back on the experience, Adewumi highlighted how this opportunity provided her with a fresh perspective of the natural world and how access to outdoor recreational spaces can positively impact the youth community.
“One of the most interesting aspects of my internship was the opportunity to work with people of various ages and backgrounds. Working with diverse communities exposes me to their unique needs and empowers me to contribute directly to their well-being. We researched, designed, and built a variety of outdoor educational projects, such as the do-it-yourself papermaking process and the survive the stormy seas challenge, to foster critical thinking, innovation, and creativity skills,” Adewumi explained. “Recently, one of the participants came up to me and said, ‘I never thought I could enjoy learning so much. Thank you for making this class so fun.’ That moment made me realize that my work was making a real difference in the lives of the participants. This internship at the YMCA has been more than just a professional endeavor; it has been a transformative journey of personal growth and social awareness.”
With a renewed perspective, this internship has also provided Adewumi with the opportunity to continue her efforts to address inequality gaps and advocate for women’s rights – a cause that holds personal significance for her.
“Many Nigerian women are breaking down barriers and making giant strides in all walks of life to defy gender stereotypes. However, a large percentage of these women still face inequalities and injustices in all areas relevant to their livelihoods. The prevalence of traditional gender norms that support male dominance, coupled with real-life stories of social injustices shared by women in my community, inspired me to make a positive difference for a better future,” Adewumi said.
Adewumi is the founder of a nonprofit organization called Royal Century Empowerment Foundation (RCEF). This organization adheres to United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal Number 5: women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Mojisola Adewumi, graduate student of the Women and Gender Studies master’s program.
(Photo Courtesy of Mojisola Adewumi)
“This nonprofit organization is dedicated to strengthening, engaging, and mobilizing women to lead social change in their communities through education, advocacy, and socioeconomic empowerment. Since 2013, this initiative has provided sustainable livelihoods to more than 7,000 women in communities around Nigeria. Among our efforts is to improve access to menstrual health and hygiene and focus on how land rights influence women’s economic empowerment in rural communities. Our initiatives look at ways to challenge conventional gender dynamics while advocating for more equitable land use and control,” Adewumi explained.
Leveraging her background and education, Adewumi has been able to enact significant change through the RCEF. She introduced the Interactive Community Panels initiative which aims to empower women to advocate for land rights with the technical support from Transparency International, a global movement to seeks to end the injustice of corruption. Additionally, Adewumi launched the Catch Them Young Project which encourages young girls to pursue programs in STEM with a projected impact of over 500 women and girls by 2025. Adewumi believes that women’s active participation in decision-making, coupled with awareness of their rights to land, education, and politics, can contribute to economic empowerment.
Reflecting on her internship experience, Adewumi acknowledges that this experience has positively impacted both her personal and professional journey. Applying her knowledge from her Women’s and Gender Studies program into practical scenarios, she was able to create a safe and supportive environment for people from various socioeconomic backgrounds, encouraging open dialogue, and ultimately building trust with participants.
“While I have had a lifelong interest in social justice and equity, my education in Women's and Gender Studies and experience in community work has provided me with a better understanding of addressing systemic oppressions and promoting social equality in our world. I am proud to be a part of the great changemaker movement at USF and grateful for all my professors who encouraged me to think outside the box and gave me the confidence to tackle challenging tasks,” Adewumi said. “I found my internship at the YMCA to be both humbling and empowering. It taught me valuable lessons about the power of community, the importance of holistic youth development, and the crucial role of social justice in creating a brighter future for all. I am committed to continuing this vital mission, one step, one voice, one community at a time.”