Woman of Firsts Julia Ojiambo’s Pioneering Pathways for Next Generation

Doctor Julia Ojiambo has been feted by Harvard university and presented with the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sharing the news on Tuesday, November 28, activist and lawyer Ory Okolloh-Mwangi, celebrated Ojiambo for the achievement lauding her for her pioneering spirit.

At the same time, Okolloh revealed that she was honored to present Ojiambo with the award.

‘”Honored to have presented the inaugural Harvard Kenya Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Julia Ojiambo.

“Her long list of incredible firsts made it easier for many of us who followed to fly,” she stated.

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Harvard Alumni Lifetime Award

According to the prestigious university, the Award recognizes service to Harvard University through alumni activities and encourages continued commitment to Harvard in the future.

The award is given annually to alumni who are leaders in their fields and exemplify the mission and values.

“Up to six awards may be made each year, except in special anniversary years. The awards will be presented at an official meeting of the HAA apart from Commencement or at another occasion appropriate considering the service of the recipients.

“For each recipient, a citation will be read and an award commemorating the devoted service to Harvard will be bestowed,” Harvard website reads in part. 

Doctor Julia Ojiambo Firsts

Ojiambo is one of Kenya’s biggest female trailblazers and is referred to as a woman of first because of her many achievements, including being the first woman to be admitted to the Harvard University.

Additionally, she was the first woman to be appointed as an Assistant Minister for Housing and Social Services.

Later, she was also appointed to the ministry of Education as an assistant minister.

She is the first African Woman to receive a PhD degree from University of Nairobi with a Joint Program with McGill University.

Also Read: Kenyan Businesswoman Honored by United Nations

Also, Ojiambo was the first African woman to be appointed Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, and the first African woman to be appointed warden of University Women’s Hall of residence.

Furthermore, she was the first female Member of Parliament from Western province to be elected to Parliament after winning the Funyula parliamentary seat in 1974.

Other Trailblazing Achievements

On the other hand, Ojiambo was the second woman after the late Grace Onyango of Kisumu to be elected to Parliament.

In 1975, she attended the first United Nations Conference on women held in Mexico.

Later in 1980, she successfully negotiated for the establishment of the Kenya Institute of Special Education with the support of the Danish Government.

In addition, in 1985, Ojiambo led the Kenyan delegation in the UN conference on women held in Nairobi.

Her other works include being a Research Assistant in Mulago Hospital in Kampala where she developed a rich protein biscuit that was used in the treatment of Kwashiokor in infantile malnutrition Unit and the whole of East Africa.

Also, she was awarded Deans Research Grant Award at the University of Nairobi for Research in Nutrition Status of pregnant and lactating mothers between 1966 and 1988, and was the Food and Agriculture, (FAO) Ceres Gold Medal winner for distinguished service in Rural program and in advancement of women in 1976.

In February 2007, she was awarded the Kenya coalition for action in Nutrition (KCAN) Nutrition of the year.

Julia Ojiambo was Kalonzo Musyoka‘s Presidential running mate in the hotly contested 2007 elections.