Female
EMPOWERMENT DAY at Neil Hafley Elementary School
Neil Hafley Elementary understands that female empowerment can be cultivated in school. An environment where female learners refine the confidence they need to be effective and resilient leaders. There is an annual event at Neil Hafley known as Female Empowerment Day, aimed at Jr. High girls and their exposure to accomplished female role models. On February 14th, a day widely reserved for acknowledging romantic relationships, Jr. High girls gathered in solidarity inside the classroom ready to learn about selffulfillment— something that can only be derived from within— on Female Empowerment Day. The first presenter in the lineup
was MUSD Nutrition Education Dietician, Jennifer Lew-Vang.
Takis, put a little bit of Tajin on your fruits and vegetables; spice things up a little bit!”
Lew-Vang spoke to the girls about nutritious snacking and explained Our food intake directly contributes that taking care of yourself, from the to the necessary building blocks for inside out, is a great start to feeling a healthy state of mind. empowered. Neil Hafley’s next female A healthy diet can benefit your empowerment presenter relied on physical, mental, and social well- the strength of her mental health in being in powerful ways. A diet that her journey to become the strong emphasizes nutritious foods such woman she is today. as fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains can boost your overall health, Cassidy Smith is Manteca’s protect you from disease, improve only female firefighter out of 57 your moods and energy level, and actively employed with Manteca make social interactions more Fire Department and represents the nation’s low 12% of female appealing and enjoyable. firefighters. “When thinking of how to begin making healthier choices,” LewVang explained. “Instead of those
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“I spent four months in a fire academy, five days a week, being the only girl among 24 guys,” emphasized Smith. “I wasn’t necessarily the fastest or the strongest, so I had to look past my weaknesses and focus on my strengths.”
the most important tools that firefighters have to protect themselves while in the line of duty. It is tough, durable, and heavy. It can withstand up to 500-degree heat and weighs approximately 60lbs. Smith’s turnout gear is no lighter than her male counterparts’.
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“The first thing you learn in the academy is how to put on your uniform,” described Smith. “A firefighter has to be prepared to put on his/her uniform at any second “Instead of being really upset that I during the night or day and only has wasn’t strong enough or fast enough, one minute to do so.” I picked something that I could focus on, to channel my positive energy The girls challenged Smith to do a into, and that was the turnout drill.” live turnout drill and were amazed to see the 60lbs of gear added to her The turnout drill refers to a body in under a minute. firefighter’s gear and is one of Just like physical fitness, mental Smith explained that the key to success is reliance and grit. Brush the proverbial dirt off and try and try again.
and emotional strength can only be accomplished with hard work. “When I pictured a firefighter, I didn’t think of myself,” admitted Smith. “I didn’t look at or think of myself as a firefighter until I started working toward my goal. Then I slowly became one.” Training the brain to acknowledge each achievement, whether it is big or small, is crucial to individual success and overall mental health. Every step forward is a small victory not to be diminished when compared to the status quo. Smith closed her presentation leaving one question on the table:
“So ladies, what does it mean to be strong?”
