Carolyn Kimenya — AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation

Carolyn, one of the 2024 Summit Scholarship recipients, has been inspired by pioneers throughout her life. Women who live bravely and speak out when they see injustice. People who dare to walk down a path that no one has trodden before. And those who reach out to help others become their best selves. Thanks to these inspiring and strong women, Carolyn's path was brightened and she was free to pursue her dreams and, in turn, become a trailblazer herself.

Carolyn was obsessed with adventure from an early age. On the long drive to her grandparents, she marveled at the hills and forests and dreamed of what it would be like to stand on top of them. Carolyn had been reading wild fantasies about camping and the outdoors, but she didn't know anyone who did those things. Everything changed when she went to college, and Carolyn's dreams literally began to come true.

Today, Carolyn is dreaming big. She dreams of Peru's Blanca Mountains, the Himalayas, the Swiss Alps, and Aconcagua. And the appreciation Carolyn has developed over the years for the outdoors continues to fuel her today. As Carolyn says,

“The inexplicable happiness I get from adventurous adventures reminds me that I am living my childhood dream.”

We had the opportunity to learn a little more about Carolyn. I hope you enjoy reading her powerful words below. There's no doubt that Carolyn still dreams of mountains, literally. Let this pioneering mountaineer show you that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. Please scroll and read.

Can you describe how you felt when you found out you won? I was away on vacation when I received an email suggesting a time for a call. I felt I needed more information regarding my application. My heart was pounding with anticipation when Alex called me in the evening and started telling me how many applications she had received. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to tell me the disappointing news, saying, “I'm sorry, I couldn't make it in time.” Therefore, hearing those words lifted my spirits. You're going to Peru!

The next morning I still couldn't believe it. Did that call really happen or was it just a figment of my imagination? I had to check my call history to look for confirmation that indeed Alex and I had spoken.

I was elated to have gotten over this hurdle, but equally scared. This victory meant that the news was immediately shared with the world. I've always been someone who tends to avoid anything that draws attention to me. I knew things were about to change. I had to remind myself that it was important to share my story and let go of some of the comfort of my private cocoon. I have benefited from many instances where people have been vulnerable in sharing their stories. And it's time for me to step up to the challenge, draw attention to it, and play a role in inspiring someone out there, even if they don't realize it themselves. .