When Lela Panagides, chairwoman of the event, saw Trent on "Oprah," she knew she wanted to bring her here.

"This would be a person who can drive a message in Springfield that is positive and uplifting and bring our community together. Her story is so inspiring," Panagides said.

This is the most high-profile speaker the event has ever attracted, said Panagides.

Trent was raised in rural Zimbabwe and despite wanting to go to school, was denied an education because she was a girl.

She was forced to marry -- a man who beat her -- around age 13. Because so many people in her village are illiterate, including her parents, Trent said she doesn't know exactly how old she is because she didn't have a birth certificate.

By roughly age 18, she had three children (and eventually had six).

"I was still a child myself. I remember growing up with my own children," Trent said.

Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980, and in the following years, many aid organizations filtered in to establish development programs and empower women in the southern African nation.

In 1989, Jo Luck, president and CEO of Heifer International -- a nonprofit based in Arkansas that strives to eliminate global poverty -- visited Trent's village.

Luck told Trent that if she believed in her dreams, she could achieve them.

Trent wrote down her goals to one day earn a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and her doctorate. Then she buried the list of goals under a rock near where she used to herd cattle.

On her website, Trent writes: "I believed in achieving these dreams against many challenges; the rock where I buried my dreams solidified and grounded me in many ways. I knew I was at peace since I had made a pact with the rock to keep my dreams alive."

Trent began working on community mobilization with several nonprofits, including Heifer International.

"So many women were trying to do work despite very little education," Trent said.

Over the next nine years while working, she also pursued the equivalent of a GED through correspondence classes and then came to the United States for college.

Little by little, she checked off every dream from her list. Today she has a doctorate in interdisciplinary evaluation from Western Michigan University.

Before Oprah ended her show, she donated $1.5 million to Trent to build a school in her home village, Trent's next dream.

Trent is a great representation of King because she has a story of hope, said Panagides.

"This is really about King and what is possible for us as a country, community and individuals," she said. "You have the potential to be anything you think you are. She is very clear about that. You manifest your dreams."

In Springfield, Trent will talk about what Martin Luther King Jr. represents and try to motivate the audience to believe in themselves and possibilities.

"We may face challenges in this world, but in the end it's how you persevere with those challenges," Trent said. "I want to speak about leaving a legacy, because with King, there is a clear message he left us to believe in human rights, social justice and a just society where education is a right for all."

Even in remote villages in Africa, King is an icon.

"Martin Luther King has become a global king," Trent said. "In Africa, everyone knows abut Martin Luther King. When I came to the U.S., I said, 'I need to learn more about him.' ... I'm honored to be speaking at this event."

Trent is known for her native saying "tinongona," which means "it is achievable," and that is a message to unite us all.

"Springfield has goals and aspirations for our community. It is achievable," said Panagides. "I don't believe we have achieved Dr. King's dream in the U.S., but it is achievable."

By Special correspondent