HerStory Foundation held virtual graduation ceremony 

HerStory Foundation hosted a virtual graduation ceremoney for the fellows of Read-Aloud Fellowship programme on their Facebook page. 

The fellowship was a year-long leadership programme attended by 15 students from University of Dhaka and Independent University of Bangladesh, according to the press release. 

The graduation ceremony opened with a performance by Ghaashphoring Choir, directed by Armeen Musa and was graced by Chief Guest Rokia Afzal Rahman, Former Advisor of the Caretaker Government and Chairperson, Daily Star, who is also one of the supergirls featured in the book. 

"It's vital that we dream big and aspire for great heights. When I see this generation dream big and encourage children to do the same, I know that for generations to come - we are passing on the right message ," she said, congratulating the graduating class.

The commencement speech was delivered by Marina Tabassum, architect and supergirl from the HerStories series. After congratulating the graduating class, she stressed on the importance of storytelling and shared anecdotes from her childhood and how stories inspired her as a young girl, to pursue her dreams. "Being featured in the HerStories series has been a great honour for me, because I remember how as a child, my father would read me stories of inspiring characters that really impacted me and how I led my life. To have these fellows take on the challenge of reading to children, and helping them dream big and aspire to greater heights is a commendable feat," she added.

Naser Ezaz, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank and Mominul Islam, MD & CEO of IPDC Finance were present as Guests of Honor. 

Neela Akter from Dhaka University was named Valedictorian of her class. 

Launched in September 2019, the team of 15 'Incredible Fellows' were tagged in a classroom to read-aloud HerStories and discuss gender, future thinking and life planning with young listeners. Through the simple act of the read-aloud, Fellows fostered respect and motivated young listeners. 

"Through the simple act of sharing stories, readers open up the minds of young listeners to possibilities and alternative models of the world, where girls and boys have the power to make their own stories," Zareen Mahmud Hosein, Founder and ED of HerStory Foundation shared. 

HerStories chronicle the lives of important female personalities of Bangladesh, providing a range of different role-models for children and fostering a sense of pride and possibility, in girls and boys alike.