EMPOWERMENT DAY Female 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.

Lew-Vang spoke to the girls about nutritious snacking and explained that taking care of yourself, from the inside out, is a great start to feeling empowered.

A healthy diet can benefit your physical, mental, and social wellbeing in powerful ways. A diet that emphasizes nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains can boost your overall health, protect you from disease, improve your moods and energy level, and make social interactions more appealing and enjoyable.

“When thinking of how to begin making healthier choices,” Lew- Vang explained. “Instead of those Takis, put a little bit of Tajin on your fruits and vegetables; spice things up a little bit!”

Our food intake directly contributes to the necessary building blocks for a healthy state of mind.

Neil Hafley’s next female empowerment presenter relied on the strength of her mental health in her journey to become the strong woman she is today.

Cassidy Smith is Manteca’s only female firefighter out of 57 actively employed with Manteca Fire Department and represents the nation’s low 12% of female firefighters.

“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.”

Smith explained that the key to success is reliance and grit. Brush the proverbial dirt off and try and try again.

“Instead of being really upset that I wasn’t strong enough or fast enough, I picked something that I could focus on, to channel my positive energy into, and that was the turnout drill.”

The turnout drill refers to a firefighter’s gear and is one of 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'.

“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 during the night or day and only has one minute to do so.”

The girls challenged Smith to do a live turnout drill and were amazed to see the 60lbs of gear added to her body in under a minute.

Just like physical fitness, mental 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?”