“Don’t be afraid to speak up, communicate, share your successes, and be visible” — this was one of the key messages shared by Anzhelika Bielova, President of Voice of Romni, during her speech to the graduates of She Media School in Kyiv.

On August 2, several dozen women leaders working in the civic sector gathered to hear stories of success — because today, they too are a driving force for change. Ahead of them lie large-scale projects, teamwork, and major achievements. And now, they were listening to the story of a woman who, just a few years ago, was not afraid to take responsibility, become a leader, and unite others ready to fight for justice.

At the graduation ceremony of She Media School, the President of our organization shared how she founded Voice of Romni, how she gradually expanded its capacity, and how the first partnerships and support came to life. This event brought together women who are unafraid to challenge the rules, outdated norms, and entrenched stereotypes.

Anzhelika said her main goal was to inspire and show the power of small initiatives that transform entire communities. She shared a deeply personal yet powerful and instructive story. At the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Anzhelika and her child were forced to evacuate from Zaporizhzhia. They were given shelter by a woman named Hilda, who generously let them stay in her apartment in Budapest. Once safe, Anzhelika didn’t stay silent about what was happening in Ukraine. She did what she knew best — began writing projects to support vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on the Roma community. At that time, Voice of Romni had just four volunteers. Today, the organization has implemented dozens of successful projects, employs around 50 staff members who change lives daily, and has supported over 106,000 people. For Anzhelika, the most valuable resource has always been — and remains — people. It is the team that made these achievements possible.

“Remember I told you about Hilda, who gave me shelter and support when I was lost? I wanted to do the same — to support others, just as I had once been helped. This is what our projects are about,” Anzhelika said.

She added that throughout her journey, there have been dozens of women who empowered her, taught her, gave her opportunities and platforms, believed in her, recommended her — and continue to do so to this day.

That’s why Anzhelika encouraged the women to support one another, to help each other grow, to build an inclusive feminist movement, and ensure that women from diverse backgrounds are fully represented in the national agenda.

In the room were women from many different fields. Strong, committed, and full of potential. We believe each of them took away something meaningful to help shape their own story of change and success. We thank She Media School for providing a platform where the voice of a Roma woman can be heard and serve as an inspiration. We are also grateful to UN Women in Ukraine and other partners for supporting such vital initiatives.