Session 1: Welcome and Introductions

"Maximum human fulfillment: Success in life is not to be measured in terms of money and personal advancement, but rather the goal must be the richest and highest development of one's own potential." Paul Robeson, Here I Stand

The young ladies that came to the first session of the Young Women's Leadership Initiative shared a common interest in finding out the depths of their own potential.

The group did a fun introduction activity that allowed the girls to get to know each other and practice speaking by presenting their fellow group members to each other. Each young lady wrote on a piece of paper three things that not many people know about them. The papers were crumbled up and thrown around at each other like a snowball fight. Then, we each picked up a piece of paper and found that person to talk about the information they wrote and to find out more.

Abby wants to be a nurse or a veterinarian.

Sonia wants to learn languages and religions and would like to travel around the world possibly as a teacher, designer, or veterinarian.

Star has a dream to be a lawyer, more than anything else in the world.

Iecha wants to be a forensic scientist.

Keren wants to be a lawyer.

Amber wants to be a nurse.

Gabby is still undecided about which career to pursue.

Jainabu would like to be a psychologist or a detective.

The group put together group guidelines for attendance and behavior. It was a good activity to gauge the group dynamics and ensure all the girls were able to provide input into the structure of the group setting. Some of the guidelines were:

• Everyone will contribute to group conversations and activities


• We will all respect each other's opinions


• We will have fun!


• We will ask questions to try to get the most out of this experience


• We will strive for excellence

It was great to see these suggestions (and more) come directly from the young ladies. It was clear from the beginning that these were young women that were committed to getting the most out of this experience.

We then did an exercise in which the ladies stood in a circle and were asked to step into the center of the circle if they agreed with a given statement. The statements were about their background, their personal experiences, and their family history in terms of college and career experiences. Some included:

• I am an only child


• I am being raised by a single parent


• I am a first generation American citizen


• My parents know what kind of career I want to pursue


• I have a parent who went to college


• At least one parent did not graduate from high school


• Someone in my family or a loved one has told me how to prepare for college


• I have fears/apprehensions about how I will achieve my goals
  

It was great for the young ladies to think about these things and see what they had in common with their peers. The ladies really enjoyed the activity and asked to do it in the future. The sense of group cohesiveness could really be felt.

The ladies then utilized a Goal Generator Worksheet to identify a major goal they want to achieve in the coming year and the different aspects of what it will take to achieve it. The document highlights what the motivator is for the goal, what resources will support her, what could get in her way, and what is the plan of action in achieving it.

The ladies shared their goals with each other and were able to keep this document to keep them on track as they work towards it.

We're off to a great start. The ladies were very engaged and receptive to the activities and conversations.

There are some really sparkling gems shining in the South Bronx. Look out world!