Olabisi has continued to support Onumah as she worked to create GirledUp Ghana. While the concept was fleshed out by the time Onumah returned home, it took more than a year of program development and fundraising to make the November science fair — and all that has happened since — a reality.   

GirledUp Ghana has received support from a Mandela Washington Fellowship grant, funded through the U.S. Department of State, UD’s College of Arts and Sciences, UD’s Provost Office and private donors. It also has a few high-profile cheerleaders, including U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware and the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, which sent representatives to the program launch. Coons met Onumah for the first time when she was at UD and again last spring while he was traveling in Ghana with Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a congratulatory video message played at the GirledUp Ghana launch, Coons said: “When I met with Justina last spring during Vice President Harris’ address in Ghana, I was struck by her enthusiasm and her determination to inspire the next generation of Ghanian girls to be brave and strong and bridge the gender gap in STEM. As Justina is fond of saying, ‘You become what you see.’ Building mentorship networks to provide STEM role models will allow girls to dream big and reach for the stars.” 

Onumah and her husband, Edward, had already been active with the Living Word Assemblies International School, so basing GirledUp Ghana operations there was an easy decision. Most Sundays, Onumah meets with GirledUp Ghana members for a range of STEM activities. They also talk about career paths and barriers that can hold girls back, such as imposter syndrome. Most group members are in middle school or high school. A few younger girls sometimes attend, including one or more of Onumah’s own daughters, who are 10, 8 and 3.

“I think a later component of GirledUp will involve parental education,” Onumah said.

“Very much, very much,” chimed Olabisi in agreement.  

“A lot of women scientists that I know talk about having had to navigate their way to bring their parents into alignment with their chosen career goals because the only thing the parents wanted to hear was that they were going to be a doctor,’” Onumah said.

For the students at Living Word Assemblies International School, most of whom come from low-resource backgrounds, the first step is simply exposing them to science. At that November science fair, most of the girls participating in a session on robotics had never touched a computer before. In another corner of the school yard, students tried out a microscope for the first time.

And under the shade of a canvas tent, Olabisi was using visual manipulatives to help students understand DNA structure and how enzymes work. It was Thanksgiving Day back home, where Olabisi’s husband and children were celebrating without her. But the theme of thanks was every bit as evident in that schoolyard. Bright, smiling faces surrounded Olabisi. Every child had her own science kit — a special surprise at the conclusion of the fair, funded in part by UD. A middle schooler with a shy smile told Olabisi, “This program has built up my confidence and courage. Thank you!”             

GirledUp Ghana, and the school where it’s based, lacks computer and science labs, and a well- stocked library. The program seeks donations of computers, laptops, STEM kits and books, as well as financial assistance. To learn how you can help, contact Olabisi at nolabisi@udel.edu or Onumah at jonumah@girledupghana.org.