Just over a year ago, Osayuki Uwumarogie walked away from a presentation at work feeling defeated.
Determined to improve her public speaking skills, Uwumarogie joined the Dunwoody Toastmasters Club. In May, she won first place in the Toastmasters District Table Topics Contest, a competition that challenges participants to deliver impromptu speeches in response to a surprise question.
The prompt: “It is attributed to Abraham Lincoln that people are generally as happy as they make their minds up to be. When has it been attitude rather than circumstances that has made the difference?”
She was the first contestant called to speak while her competitors waited outside the room for their turn.
“Everybody knows that the first person who speaks loses,” Uwumarogie said.
But she won the contest by seizing the moment, changing her attitude and incorporating her real-time experience into her response, she said.
The district contest was the final level of competition for Uwumarogie after she advanced through club, area and division contests.
The victory celebration comes as the Dunwoody Toastmasters Club celebrates its 40th anniversary on June 1. In May, the club was recognized as Smedley Distinguished, the highest level a club can achieve in Toastmasters International’s Distinguished Club Program.
“We have all ages,” said Jennifer Geist, president of the Dunwoody organization. “We have people just graduating from college, people who are more senior in their careers. We have members from all over the world. Some are new to the U.S. and want to get more comfortable speaking in English.”
Uwumarogie, who works in finance, said the extreme nervousness during her presentation at work was the impetus to join Toastmasters.
“I absolutely blew it. I was nervous, I was sweating and I said, ‘I’ve got to do something about this,’” Uwumarogie recalled. “Me, a year ago, would’ve never thought I would win a Table Topics contest.”
Club members meet every Friday at 7:30 a.m. The first Friday of each month, members meet via Zoom. Remaining meetings are held at Terraces North, 400 Perimeter Center Terrace in Dunwoody.
Sandy Springs Councilwoman Melody Kelley joined the organization during the pandemic before being elected to public office. Toastmasters has helped strengthen her communication skills as a public official, she said.
Kelley also serves as vice president of public relations for Dunwoody Toastmasters.
“Dunwoody Toastmasters helped me become a stronger communicator and public servant, said Kelley. “I am grateful for a club that helps professionals build confidence, clarity and connection.”
Similar to Uwumarogie, Geist said she joined after performing poorly during a work presentation.
“I was getting more and more speaking opportunities, and I figured it would be a good idea to get some help,” said Geist, who became a member in 2021.
“It became a very safe place to make mistakes,” she said. “I think anybody who is working on career progression, or if you’re in the PTA and speaking, can benefit. Being in front of people is a skill that I think everyone should develop.”
Last year, Geist won the district-level Tall Tales Contest. Her speech, titled “No One Suspects the Blonde Soccer Mom,” imagined how an overlooked woman in her 40s could secretly be a crime lord or master spy. However, the character in her story was “using her powers for good,” said Geist.
“It was a really wonderful experience. The competitions motivated me to keep improving my speaking,” she added.
Uwumarogie said she encourages anyone who avoids public speaking out of fear to try Toastmasters and let the people who speak well “inspire you.”
“Take that first step,” she said. “Push yourself anyway. The improvements I’ve seen don’t happen if you don’t take that first step.”
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