- It's Women's History Month
and I am so excited to talk to a woman
who's making real history today.
Born in a small village in Africa, she became
a senior advisor to the United Nations.
Then she founded HeForShe, a campaign to advance
gender equality, worldwide.
Her new memoir which is getting absolutely
incredible reviews,
is called, "I Am a Girl from Africa".
Please everybody welcome Elizabeth Nyamayaro.
(audience applause)
You look beautiful!
- Thank you Kelly.
You look beautiful, I love your dress.
We kind of vibing with this little yellow orange thing.
- I know and Oh my gosh! It's so beautiful.
You literally look like a beautiful light.
Oh, well anyway, you have an incredible story.
A UN aid worker saved your life, is that right?
- That is true.
And it was such a defining moments that later literally
shaped the person that I am today.
I grew up in a small African village in Zimbabwe
where my gogo, my grandmother raised me.
And I had a beautiful childhood but when I turned eight,
a severe drought hit our village
living us with literally nothing to eat or drink.
And we went four days without food.
One day I was so weak from hunger
that I was unable to move, but then a miracle happened.
This aid worker with the United Nations found me,
she gave me a bowl of porridge that literally saved my life.
And this is also the moment that defined my dream
to become a humanitarian,
so that maybe one day I too could save
the lives of others just as my life had been saved.
And I'm so grateful that that dream came true.
And I've been working now as a humanitarian
for more than two decades.
(audience applause) - Oh my gosh!
Isn't it a beautiful thing, how one moment
completely changes your whole path in life
and sets you out on the course that you know
in your purpose and it's a beautiful thing.
Well, your book actually stresses
the importance of having a dream.
So what does that mean to you?
- I've always dared to dream big
and I think that's something that actually you and I share.
I know that dreaming big is one of your mottos
and the thing that's causing you
where you are. - Yeah.
- And for me, dreaming big is how this once malnourished
girl from a small African village
was able to make it all the way
to the United Nations in New York city.
Dreaming big is also what inspired me to write
my memoir, "I Am a Girl from Africa".
So that hopefully other girls who look like me
can see what's possible.
And most importantly, also dream big
knowing that their dreams should not be limited
by where they are born.
And as a humanitarian, it's also my hope
that the book's message is really a Riley core
for all of us, all of humanity to dream big
and aspire to build a world that is more equal,
more just and more sustainable.
- I'm so honored to have you on the show.
Thank you so much for taking the time.
Elizabeth,
you are like a real-- - Thank you for having me.
- You're a really superhero man.
You're so cool and, everybody,
Elizabeth's memoir, "I Am a Girl from Africa"
is out April 20th.
That's four days before the greatest day on earth,
which is my birthday. (audience applause)
It's available (laughs).
It's available, I just slid it in there.
It's available for pre-orders right now.
You wanna check it out.
And everybody in our audience is actually getting a copy.
(audience applause)
I am so excited to talk to you.
I hope we chat again, I hope you come back, all right?
- Thank you, Kelly, was so much fun.
Lovely to meet you.
- Lovely to meet you too, Elizabeth.
Bye (laughs).