FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Irene Redondo-Churchward
June 9, 2006 562-903-7000
Edgar P. Cisneros
323-240-1170
Senator Martha Escutia Sponsors Young Women’s
Empowerment Day Conference at Rio Hondo College
A Focus on Our Lives, Our Future and the Tools and Skills to Succeed
Whittier, CA. – Senator Martha Escutia sponsors the 5th Annual Young Women’s Empowerment Day Conference at Rio Hondo College in Whittier on Friday, June 9, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The conference is a collaboration between Senator Escutia, SPIRITT Family Services and Rio Hondo College. For five years now, Senator Escutia has partnered with SPIRITT Family Services and Rio Hondo College to bring together plenary speakers to unleash power, motivate and focus on advancing women’s rights and empowerment for young women.
At the conference an estimated 300 young women from local public schools will explore the concept of empowerment in every aspect of their lives, from today and leading into their futures. “Every year I look forward to joining Rio Hondo College and SPIRITT Family Services in producing the Young Women’s Empowerment Day. This year’s 5th annual young women’s empowerment day will continue its legacy of empowering these young women in my district with the core essentials of healthy living, for both mind and body, to ensure that they will make better choices,” said Senator Escutia.
This year’s program includes a welcome by Angela Acosta-Salazar, Vice President of the Rio Hondo Board of Trustees, followed by opening remarks by Senator Escutia. The keynote address will be delivered by Yasmin Davidds, Founder and CEO of Empowering Latinas, Inc.
Following the speakers, student participants will attend break-out sessions centered on topics and issues of interest and concern to today’s young women. The workshops consist of two sessions, the first, which centers on road maps to success in college and career, includes workshops on problem-solving, careers, stress management, violence prevention, etiquette and college preparation. The second session focuses on personal growth, health and wellness. Workshops offered during the second session include Leadership with a Purpose, Pursuing your Passion, Thinking Like a College Student, Careers in Government and Mapping the Road to your Future.
The Conference originated with the vision that young women could come together to exchange ideas and learn new ideas that would help to prepare them as urban youth to become global citizens and community leaders. Young women of diverse backgrounds can achieve leadership on all levels of society – they need only to have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to shape public policy – the conference provides that forum.
Located in Whittier, California, Rio Hondo College is a collaborative center of lifelong learning which provides innovative, challenging, and quality educational offerings – including programs and courses leading to transfer and vocational degrees and certificates – for its diverse students and community. For more information on the college or its programs, please call (562) 692-0921.
