My dreams are valid

I have struggled all my life to be different and live different. Coming from a family where girls got married so early, It hasn't been easy. At some point I became the bad example for my younger cousins. My crime, I "refused" to get married.

You see growing up I had the dreams of becoming the first female president of Nigeria. This led me to go into politics while in University. I contested for the position of president of my department which was the first of its kind that got so many people asking me why I didn't vie for the female dominated positions. My answer " why shouldn't I?"

I am too daring, I am too ambitious,I am too selfish, I am to audacious. These are some of the words that has been used to qualify me. 

In all sense they are right,I am all that but they usually forget that I am a dreamer who dreams so big and so well and I know deep within that every dream is valid. 

Has it been easy? No, there are days I wake up so overwhelmed and feel like just letting it go. But each day I wake up knowing I am on the right track. 

I have decided that if I ever fail, my gender will never be the reason. 

And the fact I am a woman and I have all it takes to succeed I will keep facing the odds and breaking ceilings.

So this is to a young girl who has decided to dare and dream. 

Your dreams are valid. Do not let anyone define your dreams for you or how it should look or feel. Keep pushing till you get the trophy.