Shameless Advocacy Is Never Just an Option for a Great Leader

How great power entails not just responsibility, but also the vital roles of compassion and empathy.

Alivia Ekwegh
4 min readAug 12, 2024
A man sitting in a big brown chair, with his hand covering his head
Photo by Nik Shuliahin 💛💙 on Unsplash

Let me tell you a story.

A middle-aged woman with over 20 years of healthcare experience has recently become the leader of a housing program for a non-profit organization in my city. She has been a cornerstone of patient advocacy and is a well-respected nurse and housing assistant.

Growing up in a tumultuous family, she learned early on how to make it on her own, which was crucial for her survival. She experienced homelessness, domestic violence, and further adversity, all while being a single mother.

Now, she has established a successful career at fifty years old, working alongside physicians and behavioral health professionals. She is dedicated to helping marginalized and disabled communities with resources such as housing, healthcare services, therapeutic aid, and more.

A woman sitting on a shore, looking out into a vast sea.
Photo by Artem Kovalev on Unsplash

With the expertise she has gained over the years, she recently referred a family member to the local clinic where she works. This…

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Alivia Ekwegh

I'm a psychology graduate passionate about music, journalism, cultural events, and diversity. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aliekwegh