On Wednesday, September 20th Ruth Magreta of Malawi shared her inspiring story with the members of Flora Rose House.  Malawi.  A country I do not often think of.  It’s a country that doesn’t come up in my everyday conversations.  Ruth shared stories of her life growing up.  She encouraged us to pick up on the drastic socioeconomic differences between the United States and Malawi.

Ruth lived not too far from a small village.  She showed us pictures of her neighbors’ small huts.  Her family did not suffer so much from hunger and sickness as did her neighbors.  There was severe flooding and occasional drought.  Their education facilities have minimal resources.  Ruth cooked most of the family’s maize porridge meals without help.  In this way, she accepted the traditional gender roles in Malawi.

This however was not a sob story.  With every fact Ruth would anticipate our empathy.  She off-put our sorrows by saying, “It was fine.” She didn’t know that there was better.  The village was all she knew and “It was fine.”

Ruth then told us about her research.  On a separate note, it was inspiring to see another woman of color in plant science.  At Cornell this is not common.  I’m often the only black girl in my lectures.  I’m a minority in my major and a minority in the black community where no one can understand my passion for plant science.  Ruth was very passionate about her studies.  One day I will be like Ruth raising a family and simultaneously taking on projects to improve international horticulture.

I am grateful that Ruth brought Malawi to us.  Maybe one day I will go to Malawi.