SPRING VALLEY – Mount Miguel High School is hosting the first Latina Women Empowerment Conference on Saturday.
The conference, open to all Latina high schoolers in East County, is designed to empower Latina students by emphasizing the importance of education, community involvement and responsible leadership, said Sylvia Sposato, event co-chairwoman and administrative secretary to Mount Miguel's principal.
“The girls here at Mount Miguel sparked this for me,” she said. “We have a large percentage of Hispanic young ladies asking for help with different interests, leadership roles and job applications.”
Attendees can participate in panel discussions and breakout sessions with women in the community in the areas of education, business, entrepreneurship and personal enrichment.
Sylvia Mendoza, a Latina journalist and author of “The Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength, and Success,” will be the keynote speaker.
Mendoza was recently recognized by California State University San Marcos as a 2006 “Woman of Distinction” for her contributions in promoting awareness of gender issues.
“Young women inspire me all the time with their bravery and vision,” Mendoza said. “I hope students at the conference will come to believe that they can do anything they set their minds to.”
All Latina students in the Grossmont Union High School District are invited to the free conference, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is encouraged by calling Sposato at (619) 644-8400, ext. 112, or e-mailing ssposato@guhsd.net.
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Sharon A. Heilbrunn is a community news assistant in the East County office.
