Madeline Albright left with her Torch: May her transition to Yonder be filled with Light.

Growing up, my mother was my greatest inspiration. Her charisma, leadership, and poise were an inspiration for me. As I grew, I met more women along the life journey who inspired, challenged, and held the mirror of possibilities in front of me. More so, I learned early that older women are no longer handing over their torch to the next generation because they need the Light of their torch to travel their path; instead, they light our torch. Lighting the torch rather than handing it over seems to be one of the solutions to generational wars where younger people cease waiting for older people to die or go out of notoriety so that they can reign.

I knew I had my torch, but many women have lit my torch through time, while many ignited the intensity of the torch that others lighted. One such woman is Madeline Albright. As an undergraduate student of International Relations, I was always stuck in the sanctuary of different spaces on campus with my head buried in books, either reading class material or other choices of books I had selected. For this reason, my inner circle called me (0/8) (inside jokes).

Before self-help books became ridiculed as MOTIGBETIONAL( sometimes rightly so), I enjoyed reading several of them, especially the autobiography. Interestingly, professional women related to my discipline held much fascination for me. I read Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, and Madeline, to mention a few. I used her video for many of my US foreign policy, Foreign Policy Analysis, Foreign Policies of the Powers class, and other times when I taught diplomacy. These women represent my vision for my future; hence, when one of the best Professors I had as an Undergraduate Late, Prof John Ayam, and others asked if I wanted to come to academia, I said no. I read and watched several Madeline videos and used some for classes. I also read several other books while I knew their limitations.

I was so sure I would become a diplomat that when I had to choose to return to academics as a graduate assistant in 2012, I kept these women in front of me. Because of Madeleine, I wore big brooches when I came to academia. I wore flower brooches like the one in this picture and different forms of accessories that identified with them. I wore pantsuits and skirtsuits. Although I have since transitioned, I am now that fine, brilliant Lecturer who wears long hair, red lipsticks, and gowns (see the end of the post). How I love two women with somewhat different styles and former secretary of State is another thing. I am wondering if this could be a prophecy in my Pentecostal mind.

As she joined the ancestors, I am grateful to be lighted by women like her who embody dignity, style, and substance.

Journey well, Madeleine Albright

Current location: Coffee shop. What coffee cannot do does not exist.

Ps: I hate coffee, but man must survive.

Postscript

Scene 1

Sometimes in late 2018, a 100L student was looking for my office, not knowing my name but was describing to me another student to know where my office was.

Picture this in the theater of your mind. I was in my office within earshot, and this communication happened near the window of my office.

100L Student: Hi, please. I am looking for this Lecturer. She is fair, not too tall, not too short.

Group of students: there are two fair lecturers in the department. Is it Mrs.. or Miss Popoola?

100L Student: I don't know her name, but she came for POS 114. (Introduction to African politics)

Group of Students: Who is teaching that course?

100L Student: She is not too tall; she wears gowns, long hair that reaches her hip, and mostly wears red lipsticks

Group of Students: That is Miss Popoola

Another student: She is now a Dr.

Another student: I know Her office is in........

Scene 2: Knock on my door

Me: come in. Hello, how may I be of help to you today?

100L Student: Good afternoon, Ma; I came to see you

Me: me?

100L Student: Yes, you are one of my lecturers for POS114.

Me: really, I am not sure.

100L Student: yes, you ma. You have been coming for our class in .....(mentions venue)

Me: are you sure?

100lL Student: yes

Me: what is my name?

100L Student: (trying to remember) Miss? No? Dr., I can't remember, but I know you as our Lecturer. You came about 4-5 times for lecture(It was conference teaching)

Me: Can you describe me to someone if you can't remember my name

Student: Yes.

Me: Okay, describe me.

Student: I think you are a fair young woman and our POS114 Lecturer

Me: My name is Rosemary Oyinlola Popoola. I am not too tall; I wear gowns, have long hair that reaches her hip, and mostly wear red lipstick. But next time, add that I wear pants and skirts too. So what can I do for you?

100L Student: looking shocked, we both started laughing.

I told her I overheard their conversation so that she would not add Maami water to my description next time. She was one of my students and friends until I resigned. She still texts me occasionally.

Posted on Facebook March 24, 2022 

I do not own the copyright to this image. Kindly email oyin2010@gmail.com for credit.