“I felt heard.” “It was amazing to connect with like-minded students from all around the county.” “I learned so much!”
This was just some of the feedback from the five John Jay students who attended a special summit at Manhattanville University designed to empower young women to create change in their communities. The students were ninth through eleventh graders; each one was nominated by the school’s Counseling Center. They were accompanied by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Julia Drake and Assistant Principal Mallory McDonald.
The day included a greeting from Manhattanville University President Sanchez and a powerful keynote address by lawyer and activist Kerry Kennedy, who is president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization and daughter of Ethel & Robert F. Kennedy.
“It was a wonderful experience,” said Dr. Drake.
The students examined the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and conducted community mapping exercises. From those maps the participants worked with students from other districts to draft goals for shared issues where they felt change was needed. John Jay students tackled education inequality.
As the students reflected on the experience afterwards with Dr. Drake and Assistant Principal McDonald, the words inspiring and empowering came up again and again.
Sophia Wilder noted the concept that leadership could be a supportive sisterhood. Ryla Krulik loved the action plan aspect of the day, and learning how to turn ideas into reality. Haley Hoskins highlighted the connections made with other like-minded young women.
Kathryn Becker cited the talk by Kerry Kennedy as a highlight, and learning the importance of stepping back and letting other voices be heard. Whitney Parker was inspired by the collaborative aspect of the day. “While I’m just one person, together we can change the world!”