March is National Women’s History Month. Each year National Women’s History Month employs a unifying theme and recognizes national honorees whose work and lives testify to that theme. Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment is the theme for National Women’s History Month 2012. The six women who help illustrate how ethnicity, region, culture, and race relate to Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment are:
- Emma Hart Willard, Women Higher Education Pioneer
- Charlotte Forten Grimke, Freedman Bureau Educator
- Annie Sullivan, Disability Education Architect
- Gracia Molina Enriquez de Pick, Feminist Educational Reformer
- Okolo Rashid, Community Development Activist and Historical Preservation Advocate
- Brenda Flyswithhawks, American Indian Advocate and Educator
I am a proponent of education and I love national observances that we can use as teachable moments. Most of our youth do not know who the women being honored for National Women’s History Month. (I don’t even know who all of these women are.) I am painfully aware that for some of our youth, their role models and mentors are entertainers and athletes — I incorporate this fact into my overall goal setting strategy with youth. I also introduce books and authors that I feel have traveled on an inspiring journey. Despite my use of these tactics, I know that it is important that youth also have role models and mentors that they can connect with in person, by telephone, and even online.
Youth may have different role models for different areas of their lives. You may have heard me say before that I believe that we should meet youth where they are and gently guide them to the next level. A key component in the “Packaged For Success™” Portfolio Development Program is to help youth develop and maintain essential personal and professional connections. I’m ready to take “Packaged For Success™” to youth across the United States. Contact me to schedule. “Every youth needs to be“Packaged For Success™.”
Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer
The Teen Toolbox provides youth portfolio development and civic engagement and academic enrichment opportunities to help teens set goals for life after high school and create a road map to reach those goals through its PACKAGED FOR SUCCESS™ Programs.