From Injustice to Victory: Mercy’s Story

From Injustice to Victory: Mercy’s Story

At the heart of Meru County, Kenya, lives a courageous and compassionate leader—Mercy Chidi Baidoo, a social worker, wife, and mother of five. As the Founder and Executive Director of Ripples International, Mercy has devoted her life to defending the rights of women and children through holistic, community-based support systems. Her story is a compelling testament to how the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) has shaped and empowered her leadership—fueling a movement for justice that continues to reverberate globally.

Confronting Injustice with Courage

At Ripples International, Mercy leads multiple impactful initiatives:

• A shelter for girls who are survivors of sexual violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and teenage pregnancy.
• A care home for abandoned babies under the age of three.
• Programs focused on education sponsorship, access to justice, drought response, climate action, and policy advocacy.

Her turning point came in 2010 when, disheartened by repeated failures of the justice system to protect young survivors, she was invited to attend GLS Nairobi. A talk on social justice at the Summit stirred something deep within her. It was a moment of awakening—“I think God began to speak to me at that time, that there is something I can do about it,” she shares.

With renewed purpose, Mercy mobilized her team to study Kenya’s legal framework and gather documentation on mishandled sexual abuse cases. This culminated in a constitutional lawsuit against the Kenyan police in 2011, demanding accountability for the failure to investigate crimes against girls. In 2013, a historic ruling declared that the failure constituted a violation of human rights—a landmark decision now referenced in international forums, including Geneva in 2017.

Why GLS Matters in the Fight for Justice

Since that first Summit, Mercy has never looked back. She has attended GLS every year and began hosting GLS in Meru County in 2016 to empower local leaders with the same inspiration and leadership development that transformed her own journey.

“As leaders, we often walk lonely roads. But GLS reminds me that I am not alone. Every year, I get re-energized, equipped, and motivated to keep going,” Mercy says. Her favorite speaker? Megan—whose powerful storytelling and vulnerability resonate deeply.

Through the Summit, Mercy has built leadership capacity within her organization, broadened her vision, and strengthened her voice in national and international advocacy. The ripple effect is undeniable: when a leader gets better, everyone wins.

An Invitation to Fellow Leaders

Mercy’s message is simple but profound: “We all face challenges, but GLS is where we find community, clarity, and courage. It’s where we grow.”

To leaders around the world—whether you’re in grassroots advocacy, church leadership, business, or government—Mercy’s story is a reminder that leadership can be the spark for justice and hope.

Watch her video now and discover how one Summit became the catalyst for a movement.