Juny Francois Urges Women To Find Mentors And Speak Up Against Discrimination

US-based attorney and entrepreneur Juny E Francois has encouraged young women to actively seek mentors and find the confidence to speak up when they face discrimination or unfair treatment.

Speaking on Woman on 3Music TV with Lerny Lomotey, Juny said mentorship played a crucial role in shaping her education and career, with several women in her community and teachers helping her recognise her potential from an early age.

She said she only realised later in life how many people had quietly guided her journey, beginning with neighbours who encouraged education and teachers who pushed her to aim higher academically.

Francois said two of her high school teachers encouraged her to apply to Ivy League universities, even taking her applications to the post office to ensure they were submitted.

She went on to study at Columbia University before qualifying as a lawyer.

The attorney also urged women to challenge unfair treatment in the workplace rather than remain silent.

She said she had confronted situations in her career where she believed she was being treated unfairly because of her race or gender.

“As a Black woman in the world, you’re going to encounter people who either doubt you or try to make you feel less than,” she said.

Juny said sharing such experiences was important because they could help younger women prepare for similar challenges and learn how to overcome them.

She also stressed the importance of building supportive networks among women, saying genuine sisterhood should empower rather than undermine others.

“I believe we have to share our stories as testimonies,” she said, adding that she enjoys mentoring younger women by listening to their experiences and helping them navigate difficult situations.

Juny said mentorship, education, and a willingness to speak up had been central to her own success and remained essential tools for the next generation of women leaders.