In the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, there is a growing platform for trailblazing women leaders who are transforming the political culture in the region, not just to include more women in decision making, but to make sure they are heard. Named ‘Ugaaso’ after the feminine form of the title given to traditional leaders in Somali culture, the platform offers lessons for many places where women are held back by both conflict and gender exclusion. In this paper, we worked with Ugaaso members to learn how they managed to turn the tide against patriarchal norms and structures, working through barriers that exclude women from political influence in the Somali Region and beyond.