Emily Straley, a rising sophomore at High School North, completed the Girl’s Leadership Workshop of the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill in Hyde Park, New York, in July. She was one of 60 girls chosen for the intensive program designed to “provide young women of diverse cultures and backgrounds with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to exercise leadership rooted in courage, compassion and perseverance as modeled by Eleanor Roosevelt.”##M:[more]##
The workshop brought together girls ages 14 through 16 from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Iraq. Straley participated in programs focusing on oppression, racism, challenging bias, justice, and human rights.
She traveled to New York City where the group spent time with two of Eleanor Roosevelt’s granddaughters, and visited the United Nation building, UNICEF, and New York City Hall. Straley also had an opportunity to shadow a Fortune 500 company female executive learning about advertising and being a leader in business.
While staying on the Marist College campus, Straley planned a social justice project and took part in community service by working on a farm for handicapped and learning disabled people. “I learned about financial health, planning for college, self expression, world change, team building, and the environment,” she says. “I feel this program has helped me to challenge myself to be a strong leader in my future endeavors.”
Visit www.ervk.org for information about the program.
