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 15. This event was sponsored and solely funded by 1-800-TruckWreck, powered by Witherite Law Group. The conference welcomed girls and young women for the day with panel discussions and networking opportunities that featured female leaders and businesswomen to inspire career-driven young ladies.
“It’s integral to our company mission to support the communities we are a part of,” said Amy Witherite, founder of Witherite Law Group and 1-800-TruckWreck. “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.”
The conference featured three different panels with four panelists leading each. The powerful discussions were treated as an open conversation between the women and young girls to encourage a safe space to ask questions. They included:
- Be Your Own Boss: Entrepreneurship, Dress to Impress, Women in Leadership, and Mentorship, which was 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 discussed 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 was led by Dr. Katrice Brooks, family practice specialist; Dr. Dewana Taylor, educator for Chicago Public Schools and Moraine Valley; Dr. Marietta Hebert Davis, professional nurse and ordained clergy; and Kathleen Reutter, lead security officer and Crete-Monee Middle School’s eighth grade basketball coach, as they discussed how social media can impact future careers, 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; Crete-Monee Alumna 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 discussed 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 and Keeyana Riley, director of Behavioral Intervention Programs for District 201-U. Panel 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.