With a master's degree in opera, Felicia Wilson has a powerful voice -- a voice she will use to cry out for the thousands of girls who have never had the opportunity to take a test or read a book.

Having recently won a Fulbright U.S. Student scholarship, Wilson, 38, of Washington D.C., will spend the 2006-2007 academic year in South Africa studying gender issues and violence against girls in schools. The honor is based on promoting mutual understanding between the United States and the rest of the world.

Pursuing a dual doctorate in educational leadership and comparative and international education at Penn State, Wilson's trip will only perpetuate what she said jokingly is 11 years of "too much education."

"I've wanted to do this since high school. I know it sounds crazy," she said. "I spent eight weeks last summer doing a pilot study in South Africa. I paid my own way, but I absolutely loved it."

This year, the Fulbright scholarship will be funding her endeavor -- something that Wilson said she has been looking forward to since she first chose the topic for her proposal last May.

"For a lot of girls coming from poor situations, they are left at the hands of men, whatever that may [entail]," she said. "I met girls in South Africa who had sex with men to support their family or to go to grade school. Because of HIV and AIDS, there are a lot of girls who are heads of households at 11."

For Wilson, the geographical location of her studies was a no-brainer.

"The people are so inviting. It's an artistic place," she said. "I felt a kinship with South Africans as an African-American woman. I believe we have had similar experiences since the apartheid has ended in their country."

Wilson's mother has also served as a primary role model and another influence in her career interests.

"I'm an educator with a passion for enlightening people. As Felicia's mother, I am very proud," Juliette Wilson said. "When I found out about her scholarship, I was beyond words. Her hard work has finally paid off."

Aiming for international advocacy, Felicia Wilson is active in the International Education Student Association and the Education Policy Studies Student Association.

"I really want to work with the United Nations in developing education that promotes social causes," she said. "I would like to own my own non-profit organization. That's probably my last stop."

As executive director of Very Special Arts Maryland, an arts-based organization for the disabled, Felicia Wilson will take her experience to South Africa to aid the helpless and teach them to fend for themselves.

"Being a social advocate is in my genes. I'm always concerned about the rights of women," she said. "I think this is an opportunity to make a difference. It's an 'I am woman hear me roar' kind of thing."

However, the roars of women have not always been her primary concern. With a bachelor's degree in music education from Trinity College, a master's degree in opera from New York University, and an education specialist degree in administration in early childhood education from George Washington University, Wilson proves she is a jack of all trades.

"She's probably the first [student who is writing a dissertation] I've had that's been an opera singer," said Dr. David Post, professor of education in comparative and international education. "She doesn't actually sing when she talks to you, but she looks like she could."

This fall, she will manipulate that voice and use it to speak up for those who have been forever silenced by gender inequality.

"She's very bubbly and enthusiastic," Post said. "When she meets people, they have no problems talking to her."

Continuing her educational journey, Wilson is thrilled to finally be singing out to the world.

"As American women, we take for granted what we have," she said. "We need to continue to write about what is happening to these girls and let the world know."