Dr Loretta Bortey Kubate, a Ghanaian scholar based in the United Kingdom, captivated hearts worldwide when she defended her PhD thesis with her baby strapped to her back — and went on to win the award for Best PhD Thesis Pitch.
Faced with an unexpected childcare challenge on the day of her presentation, Dr Kubate made the bold decision to bring her child along.
Her husband, who usually assists with childcare, had an important exam to attend, leaving her with no other option but to balance the roles of mother and academic simultaneously.
Sharing her inspiring story on Facebook, she wrote, “Riddle riddle…What do you do when you have a baby to care for, and a project to pitch on the same day hubby has an exam to take on a foreign land with no family around? You tie him up and say, let’s do this, baby.”
With grace and composure, she delivered her thesis presentation, carrying her baby throughout.
Her extraordinary effort did not go unnoticed, as she clinched the Best PhD Thesis Pitch Award — a feat that crowned her academic journey with the prestigious title of “Doctor.”
Reflecting on her achievement, Dr Kubate encouraged other mothers not to give up on their dreams, “Like I have said many times, it will be hard, sometimes it seems impossible. Motherhood is the most reasonable excuse to abandon your dreams. But change the narrative. If you could go through hours of labour, there’s absolutely nothing you cannot do.”
