Stepping it Up

I have learned that it really does take a village to raise a child. I have been reflecting over my life in the last few months. After having a conversation with a dear friend, I realized things have really changed. I thought about my teenage years now that we are approaching prom and graduation season. I think about how when I was in high school no one besides my counselor even spoke about going to college. I think that my sister and I just wanted more but it was not even spoken about at home. It was like you won the lottery graduating from high school. It was that you graduated from high school and got a job.

Speaking on this brings me to my topic. When are we going to demand more for our girls besides making it through high school? When are we going to start stepping it up? My daughter recently joined an organization called Step Up Women’s Network. It is an organization that mentors, prepares and demands that girls be everything that they want to be. I guess I will pat myself on the back a bit. She actually signed up for it on her own so I must have instilled something in her to take that step for her future.

In May I attended their Spring Fling. There were young ladies from all ethnic backgrounds, but mostly Latino and African American. After sitting in that room and listening to the graduating seniors (all which were accepted to a colleges or universities this fall and some with full scholarships from varying backgrounds) express their experiences in the program through spoken word and photography, I was floored and immensely impressed. I thought “where were these programs when I was a kid”? These young ladies spoke beautifully about their mentors and fellow members. I was so moved by what I experienced that I became a member that evening. The really nice thing is that it doesn’t stop once you graduate. There are even mentors for the women in the organization.

The members are all over the business spectrums. You could feel the power in the room. I am looking so forward to getting more involved in this program and really seeing what they can offer and maybe taking this back to my community. I think that we as women are losing focus on the important things in life by trying to be all to everyone.

Please check out their site www.suwn.org and view their mission statement and the benefits of the programs that they offer. If you are as impressed as I was, please sign up, never know what this could hold for your and yours. Information not shared is wasted information.

Much Love

Chanel

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women.