Giving Compass' Take:

• Segenet Kelemu shares how she overcame sexism to become one of the top scientists in Kenya, acting as an example for the next generation. 

• How can funders help to elevate the status of successful women like Segenet Kelemu to provide the next generation with inspiration? 

• Read thoughts from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on sexism and racism. 

Demonstrating excellence can eventually help destroy sexism and racism. That is what has kept me going in my career. The fact that I am given the responsibility to lead important and high-profile research for the center is a good example of being judged by my ability rather than by my gender.

I believe that the majority of thoughtful people around the world will judge me and other women by what we do and what we achieve, rather than our gender and skin color.

Some women have sacrificed having children to allow them to take various roles in science. But I think we can still be successful scientists and have a family at the same time. I was privileged to have a nanny who took care of my child when I lived in South America for 15 years, so I had someone to support me at home.

It is also important to network in science and create partnerships. I work with about 500 scientists and technical staff from 40 countries. There are also 180 graduate students who come to the institute every year, from across Africa and abroad.

This is what I advise young people about how important networks are in career development. The success of my career can be attributed to the many people who have been part of it.

In Africa, we say it takes a village to raise a child. But I think it also takes a global village to raise a successful scientist.

Read the full article about Segenet Kelemu by Mary Mwendwa at News Deeply.