Young Ladies Inspired & Empowered Conference Held at Crete-Monee High School
Bringing together female students and successful women to inspire future careers
Crete-Monee School District 201-U’s Community Mentor Committee hosted the Young Ladies Inspired and Empowered Conference at Crete-Monee High School on Saturday, April 15th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This event was sponsored and solely funded by 1-800-TruckWreck, powered by Witherite Law Group. The conference welcomed young girls and women for the day with panel discussions and networking opportunities that featured female leaders and businesswomen to inspire career-driven young ladies.
“We’re very excited and proud to support a local public high school by providing an opportunity to introduce young ladies to successful, career-driven women to help inspire them for their future careers,” said Amy Witherite, founder of Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck.
The conference featured three different panels with four panelists leading each. The powerful discussions were treated as an open conversation between the young girls and women to encourage a safe space to ask questions. They included:
- Be Your Own Boss: Entrepreneurship, Dress to Impress, Women in Leadership, and Mentorship – led by Wanikka Clark – Founder of Kabillionaire Academy, Johnetta Miller – District #147 Superintendent, Sydney Hart – Digital Strategist of The League, and Dr. Angel White – doctoral prepared Family Nurse Practitioner as they discuss what it means to be a “boss,” how to brand yourself in a positive way, the benefits of having a mentor, dressing to impress (and on a budget!), developing business etiquette, do’s and don’ts of marketing yourself, and more.
- I Am Enough: Mental Health/Self Love, Hygiene, and Social Media Presence – led by Dr. Katrice Brooks – Family Practice Specialist, Dr. Dewana Taylor – Educator for Chicago Public Schools & Moraine Valley, Dr. Marietta Hebert Davis – Professional Nurse and Ordained Clergy, and Kathleen Reutter – Lead Security Officer and Crete-Monee Middle School’s 8th-grade Basketball Coach for Crete-Monee School District 201-U as they discuss how social media can impact your future career, adapting to a changing body, pushing through when you’re unmotivated, handling rejection, the importance of boundaries, and more.
- Empower Your Voice: My Sister’s Keeper and Relationship Resources – led by Yvonee Hall – Owner of Ashley’s Beauty bar, Renee Chavez – Executive Director of Crete-Monee Park District, Bridgette Simmons – Communications Specialist at Posen-Robbins School District, and Crete-Monee Alumna Maya Hightower – Director of Community Relations at Witherite Law Group as they discuss speaking up for yourself and finding your voice, healthy vs. unhealthy behaviors in friendships, the real harm of gossip, handling disrespect, and more.
The conference began with a welcome breakfast and opening words from Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese & Keeyana Riley, Director of Behavioral Intervention Programs for the Crete-Monee School District 201-U. Panel discussion sessions began in the early morning with a lunch break before the final panel. A keynote speech by Judge Jessica Colon-Sayre closed out the conference at 1:25 p.m. with final words from Keely Childress, Village of University Park Director.
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