🦸‍♀️ There is no god like a mother

What are you the first woman in your bloodline to do, and did you always know it would be you?

I am the first woman in my bloodline to become a graduate, a banker, to earn the CFA charter, and to stand on stage as a public speaker. 

I always knew it would be me, because growing up, no woman before me had achieved these milestones, and I was determined to change that narrative.

Growing up, what did the women before you teach you, intentionally or unintentionally, about what was possible?

Growing up, the women before me taught me, sometimes intentionally and other times simply by how they lived, what was possible. My mother instilled in me the courage to believe in myself and to stand firm in my convictions, even when the path wasn’t clear.

My teachers shone their light of who I could be, showing me that with focus and determination, I could achieve anything I set my heart to. From them, I learned resilience, self-belief, and the power of seeing beyond limitations.

What resistance, be it subtle or loud, did you face when you chose this path?

When I chose this path, I faced resistance in many forms. Sometimes it was loud, like the absence of role models in my bloodline who had gone before me. Other times it was subtle: fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome whispering that I didn’t belong. 

Opportunities were limited, and the road wasn’t clearly marked for women like me. But instead of letting that stop me, I used those challenges as fuel.

Each barrier became proof that I was breaking new ground, not just for myself but for generations to come. Today, I stand as the first in my family to achieve these milestones, and that resistance has become part of my strength and story.

Was there a moment you realized you weren’t just doing this for yourself but for the women coming after you? What did that feel like?

The moment I realized I wasn’t just doing this for myself was right after my NYSC service year. I suddenly understood that I was on my own, my destiny was in my hands, and no one was coming to save me.

But I also saw the eyes of my four younger sisters and many younger female relatives looking up to me. In that instant, it became clear that my journey was bigger than me; it was a calling. 

⁠If a girl in your family is watching you right now, what do you hope she learns from your journey?

I hope she learns that she is limitless. I want her to see that fear, self-doubt, and the absence of role models don’t define what’s possible. 

I hope she understands that conviction, resilience, and hard work can break barriers. By watching me become many firsts in our bloodline, I want her to know that she, too, can chart her own path, rise above limitations, and create opportunities not just for herself but for others. 

Most of all, I hope she learns that her dreams are valid, her voice matters, and she is worthy of every seat at the table.

Modupe Daramola’s story starts with a simple desire: build a library as vast as her mother’s.

Daramola grew up around books; having Yejide Kilanko as her godmother cemented her place as a bibliophile. And as it is the order of progression for bookish kids who find themselves in art class, her parents nudged her towards the wig and coat; she obliged. 

A ferocious reading appetite gives way to an itch for writing, so while studying law at the University of Durham, she started a blog. She wrote commentary on social issues, drawing on her legal background.

Then she went silent; she would not return till 2024, this time with another desire: to impress Kim Namjoon. What if one day he stumbled on her blog? Weary of missing that one-in-a-million chance, she relaunched the blog as Noisy Streetss.

At first, she wanted the publication to be UK-facing, but after spending time in Nigeria, bearing witness to the striking stories buried in young Nigerians, she changed her approach.

The stepping stone for what would become the publishing arm arrived at the cusp of Detty December.

Daramola felt inspired by the energy surrounding Detty December and wanted to capture it, so she put out a submission call around love stories that bottle the feeling of Detty December.

She didn’t think she would become a publisher, but when one of the editors mentioned how great it would be to hold a paperback of these stories, Daramola was enticed.

Thus, Noisy Streetss Publishing’s maiden print came in the form of A Man and A Woman and Other Stories, featuring writers who have never had their work in print before.

Their latest anthology, Ponmo is a Bird That Has No Place in a Cultured Culinary Sky & Other Stories, has also been warmly received.

With the latest anthology, Daramola has been able to mix raving and reading culture, with the Ponmo is a Rave rave. The young publisher is on a mission to tell the stories of young Nigerians, especially those who rarely cross radars.

Her ambition is big, but it is no surprise; she has always been one to chase after her desires, whether it is a library or one day meeting Kim Namjoon.

Being a publisher in Nigeria is one thing, but being a young female publisher is a whole other thing, and Modupe Daramola has been able to tread the line gracefully. So we are tipping our hats off to a once-in-a-generation kind of woman.

Kofoworola Aina Ademola was the first Black African woman to earn a degree from Oxford University. A social worker and teacher, she co-founded Lagos’s Girls Secondary Modern School and New Era Girls’ Secondary School.

In 1958, she became president of the newly formed National Council of Women, joining the board of the International Council of Women.

She was honored with the MBE by Queen Elizabeth in 1959, appointed a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by Tafawa Balewa, and received the chieftaincy titles of Mojibade of Ake and Lika of Ijemo.

When was a time a woman did something good/amazing/powerful that you’ll never forget?

We asked our WhatsApp community a question. They answered. Then they joined The Juice. So, consider this their official welcome—through their own words.

Across these responses, one thread stands out: their mothers. Women who show up, stand firm, and hold their families together, no matter what.

Tayo - In 2015, I called my mom to say that I had spent all my savings on food and textbooks. She just sighed and said she would call back. Three days later, she sent me ₦12,000, which was a lot then.

When I went home 2 months later, my brother told me that she stood by the roadside to beg people for money, she told them her daughter is in school, and she has nothing to eat. My mother is a warrior and the strongest woman I know. I pray for her years to be long and happy.

Aina - My friend gave up her scholarship spot for me. A sponsorship that lasts throughout the university level. I will forever be grateful to her and God.

Ayo - My dad left us to marry another woman, my mom singlehandedly trained us, the four of us from nursery school to university level, I am the lastborn, and in my finals in a nursing school.

Mabel - I got abused at 14, had a child in the process, and my mum has been the one taking care of that child without complaining and still taking care of me too… That child is 14 yrs now, and she still treats him like a baby.

Goodness - My mom. I'll never forget when she sold her car and other valuable properties to send my brothers and me to school, feed the house, and take care of our basic needs after our dad lost his job during the lockdown. Even at the expense of her mental health.

Josh - My sister, when I just gained admission to uni, she was in her final year. She sold her new automatic sewing machine that was gifted to her to pay my school fee. One way or the other, she has made sure that my bills are paid.

Abel - My mom, when I was hit by a runaway driver in Ajah ... She travelled all the way from Warri, Delta state, to Lagos to come take care of me, like my mum was practically cleaning me up and packing my poo. Since then I don't take her for granted.

Tayo - My mummy used to climb mango trees, pluck oranges to sell just to use to go to school, that's how I finished my secondary school. I love my mom. My super woman.

Bukky - My shop got burnt last year in September at Mandilas market, Lagos Island. I was at my down moment. My fiancé has been the one carrying both of us from September last year till now, she has never complained.

Winner - When I was denied a visa twice, and she found out even without me asking, she sent me 500k and spoke to her sister-in-law about me, and she helped me start afresh with her salary. We’re getting married by Christmas though.