The “Practice” section of your newsletter continues the EVE Program’s 15th anniversary celebrations with a new and emblematic figure in women’s leadership. Who are the women who have shaken up the entrepreneurial, cultural, or political landscape, and how have they forged a path for others who want to dare?

This time, we’re putting Chékéba Hachemi in the spotlight. This French-Afghan author is an EVE Program speaker and author of L’Insolente de Kaboul (Anne Carrière, 2011).

What has impressed you most in 15 years of the EVE program?

Chékéba Hachemi: What has always struck me about the EVE seminar is the open-mindedness and diversity. At many events, people tend to stick within the confines of a particular social circle. What’s interesting about EVE is hearing an Indian woman talk about her project in India, or a Moroccan woman talk about entrepreneurship in her country. We really must step outside our French bubble, even though there are hundreds of participants from many large corporations.

The EVE Program is a great way to interact with people you wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to meet. Through EVE, I have encountered some remarkable women whose life stories make them role models for others. And that’s true for both speakers and participants!

When did you realize you could be a role model or a source of inspiration for others?

Chékéba Hachemi: I’ve never really seen myself as a role model, and even now, at nearly 52, I’m not sure I do. But I do see students studying my book. Since L’Insolente de Kaboul came out, schools and universities have asked me to speak about my life. That’s when it hit me: I have a responsibility to share my story—to inspire, to pass on what I have learned, to help others to make a difference.

How do you inspire others to have the courage to take the road less traveled?

Chékéba Hachemi: I think our societies, including Western societies and those in France, don’t really encourage young women to fully express themselves. So I try the best I can to get them to stand in the spotlight, put themselves forward, speak out, step up, start dreaming, and then move from dreams to actions.

We shouldn’t be afraid of failure. So what if you get something wrong? At worst, you have to start over with something else. That’s what I say to my 16-year-old daughter, and all the young women around me who do exceptional work yet struggle to promote themselves. And precisely because it doesn't come naturally to them, I think it's up to us because we are older and more experienced, to show sisterhood and share this dynamic as widely as possible. We shouldn’t see the younger generations as threats, quite the opposite! We can move forward by working together.

How do you keep reinventing yourself once you’ve become a role model?

Chékéba Hachemi: We’re told we need to exercise to stay healthy after 50. It’s the same with engagement: it’s important to stay interested and keep on learning. We should always be attentive to other people and observe what’s happening in the world.

I also have a unique background. As I grew up on the “wrong side” of the world, then came to the “right side”, I ask myself one question every day: “Has this day been useful?

Did I make it count, and did I do something worthwhile?” Even though we face challenges in France that we mustn’t ignore, we still have the freedom to speak out, to stand tall, to keep going. It’s a good place to live. When I think about Afghan women, who aren’t even allowed a voice, there’s also a deeper, more personal feeling that pushes me: now that you’re here, make it count.

Do you have a final tip to share with the EVE community?

Chékéba Hachemi: I’d say this: get involved. Take an interest in what’s happening around you and one the other side of the world. Be curious about everything! It starts at every level: your company, a foundation, your neighborhood, wherever you can. Engagement is especially challenging for women, because active volunteer work takes time, and we’re also expected to have children, run the home, etc. But we need to encourage women to step beyond their professional lives. Being involved in new pursuits enriches our daily lives. It drives us forward and helps us grow.

So try something new, look around you, find out what’s happening on the other side of the world, and don’t let yourself be pigeonholed. We’re heavily influenced today by trends, by constant switching, by social media. We dress like everyone else, think like everyone else; there’s a kind of uniformity.*

Don’t be afraid to stand out, because it really is a genuine strength, especially for women. We have incredible energy, let’s not silence it by saying, “I’m already doing enough.” Let’s move, stay active, with others and for others. Always be open and engaged, that’s the drive I want to pass on!