[ti:Zimbabwean Woman Honored with Statue in New York City] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.01]Zimbabwe's Tererai Trent became famous in the United States after appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009. [00:10.35]On the television program, she explained how she overcame great difficulties to get an education. [00:18.20]Now, Trent finds herself honored with a bronze statue near one of Oprah Winfrey in New York City. [00:28.25]She is reported to be the only African woman to have received this honor. [00:34.71]The life-like statue is one of 10 "Statues for Equality" created by sculptors Gillie and Marc Schattner. [00:46.20]Trent's statue shows her with arms raised, surrounded by the flame lily, Zimbabwe's national flower. [00:56.56]Gillie Schattner spoke recently at a ceremony for the 10 statues. [01:02.99]She said, "It comes without saying that, by projecting these women into larger-than-life-size sculptures, [01:11.74]it will help change our society — a change that will elevate the lives of women all around the world." [01:20.66]The Zimbabwean educator and humanitarian also spoke at the ceremony. [01:27.56]She told the crowd, "I come from a very poor place, and I grew up very poor. [01:35.27]I had four babies before I was even 18 years of age, [01:40.65]and to think that because of the power of believing in a dream and today I am being celebrated." [01:48.50]"And to think I have a statue in New York, the most celebrated city in the world? [01:54.14]It's just unbelievable. [01:56.19]Even my own grandmother and my mother never dreamt of that," she said. [02:01.09]Trent was denied an education in her village because she was a girl. [02:07.98]She secretly learned to read by using her brother's books. [02:13.39]She was married when she was only 11. [02:17.64]She says that her husband abused her. [02:21.54]But Trent did not let her dreams die. [02:25.51]She moved to the United States and continued her education. [02:31.32]She earned a doctoral degree after 20 years of effort. [02:36.94]She taught at Drexel University in Pennsylvania and currently heads the Tererai Trent International Foundation. [02:46.53]The group works to provide education to children in rural Zimbabwe. [02:53.12]Trent is a popular public speaker and writer. [02:57.70]"When one woman is silenced, there is a part within all of us women that get silenced," she said. [03:05.57]"But when women are awakened and recognized in public places, [03:10.89]all of us, we get the true joy of knowing that we are all equal with men." [03:17.36]Trent's story has motivated people around the world. [03:22.87]Oprah Winfrey announced she would donate $1.5 million to assist Trent in building schools. [03:31.71]In all, they have built 12 schools in rural Zimbabwe and helped 38,000 children get an education. [03:42.72]Some of those children are now going to colleges and universities. [03:49.01]Beatrice Nyamweda is Trent's friend of more than 35 years. [03:55.82]She traveled from Zimbabwe to New York to attend the ceremony. [04:02.18]She said Trent's influence is felt back home in communities where not everyone has an opportunity to get an education. [04:13.02]Nyamweda added, "There are 10 children who went to her school and started studying at the university currently. [04:22.08]She has changed the lives of these children who are bright but lack resources. I am proud of her for that." [04:32.02]Trent said that what makes her happiest is passing along opportunities she received to others. [04:40.82]She said she made a decision to end the poverty and oppression that held back the women in her family for generations. [04:52.01]I'm Jonathan Evans. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM