Lynwood Unified School District students embraced girl power during the second annual Girl Empowerment Summit on March 28, where they heard from influential female community leaders and participated in breakout sessions and discussions designed to educate and inspire them to chase their dreams fearlessly.
The Summit – organized by students from the Girl Empowerment Clubs at Lynwood and Firebaugh high schools – served as an inspiring conclusion to Women’s History Month celebrations across the District, with Hosler and Cesar Chavez middle school students finding the courage to break barriers and carve a path toward powerful journeys.
“As women, we are told it’s always going to be more difficult to get things done, and that we will have to strive so much harder to accomplish our goals,” Lynwood High School senior Alejandra Vega said. “It’s rewarding to collaborate with other girls and reassure one another that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The day of leadership activities and networking kicked off with inspiring words from keynote speakers Celia Trevino-Goodman, an entrepreneur; Sandi Marques, a registered nurse at St. Francis Medical Center; Ana Bergeron, a registered nurse and advocate for nurses’ rights; Rita Soto, mayor pro tem of the City of Lynwood; and Kendal Turner, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation.
“Don’t be worried about who or what you will lose,” said Turner, who shared her childhood experiences and emphasized the importance of resilience. “But look forward to the things you will gain.”
Similarly, Bergeron encouraged students to embrace opportunities for growth and build a community with like-minded women along the way.
“Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed,” she said. “There will always be people to help you if you want help, and there will always be people to teach you if you want to learn.”
The interactive breakout sessions covered diverse topics such as "Being a Woman Community Leader," "Mental Health and Self-Care” and "Relationships and Friends." The sessions opened a platform for deep dialogue and learning, aiming to empower students to navigate the challenges they may face as young women in today's world.
“For me, women’s empowerment is a way to get together with girls my age, hear the experiences of other women and learn how it can help us in the real world and make us united as girls,” Hosler Middle School eighth-grader Perla Cadena said. “I hope this event can help me come back and speak about my own experiences one day.”
To conclude the event, students and keynote speakers enjoyed a lunch session, providing the scholars with a networking opportunity and time to connect with their peers. Clubs and organizations such as Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes, Speaking 4 Change and Sports Network Kids introduced students to resources and opportunities to nurture their personal and academic growth.
“At Lynwood Unified, we are committed to inclusivity and fostering a community where every voice is heard and every individual is valued,” Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, Ph.D. said. “By providing opportunities for empowerment and mentorship, we are inspiring these young ladies to achieve anything they set their minds to.”