Rio Hondo holds women's history conference
Victoria Farlow
Issue date: 3/12/10 Section: News
Rio Hondo College heldits 15th annual Women's History Month Conference March 5 in the Campus Inn.
"Women of Vision and Courage" was this year's theme as 300 young women from the Whittier Union High School District were welcomed by keynote speaker, Jeanette Salinas who spoke to the juniors and seniors about perseverance and striving for
their goals.
"Someone doesn't need to be the brightest person," Salinas said. "It is all about
perseverance and overcoming obstacles."
Adding that it was important to share her story and let the young women know that things are scary.
"Everybody gets scared and everyone has fears," Salinas said. "I know I did." Like all the young women in attendance, Salinas attended high school in Whittier.
"Look out at the girls, Irealized any one of them could have been me thirty years ago," Salinas said.
Many of the young women listened to Salinas and felt empowered by her words.
"[Salinas] really emphasized that you have to try your hardest and you will find your
way," Alexis Aragon, a senior at La Serna High School said.
The students attended 45-minute workshops that included topics of self defense, teen
dating violence, HIV, breast health, online predators, empowerment through personal
writing, Zumba, language of body and dress and scrapbooking.
"Everyone had a ball with Zumba," Director of Student Activites, Cathy Butler said.
Zumba is a fusion of Latin and International music/dance themes that includes aerobic/fitness effectiveness.
Self-defense was a favorite among the high school students.
"Jervi Dominguez, a senior at Whittier High School said that wearing high heels can only help with the "cheese grater," the act of using the foot to scrape down an attackers shin.
Self-defense Instructor, Carlos Gallegos showed the young women several hand
techniques as well as ways to break loose and get away from an attacker.
Gallegos stressed that awareness was a huge part of self defense.
"Women of Vision and Courage" was this year's theme as 300 young women from the Whittier Union High School District were welcomed by keynote speaker, Jeanette Salinas who spoke to the juniors and seniors about perseverance and striving for
their goals.
"Someone doesn't need to be the brightest person," Salinas said. "It is all about
perseverance and overcoming obstacles."
Adding that it was important to share her story and let the young women know that things are scary.
"Everybody gets scared and everyone has fears," Salinas said. "I know I did." Like all the young women in attendance, Salinas attended high school in Whittier.
"Look out at the girls, Irealized any one of them could have been me thirty years ago," Salinas said.
Many of the young women listened to Salinas and felt empowered by her words.
"[Salinas] really emphasized that you have to try your hardest and you will find your
way," Alexis Aragon, a senior at La Serna High School said.
The students attended 45-minute workshops that included topics of self defense, teen
dating violence, HIV, breast health, online predators, empowerment through personal
writing, Zumba, language of body and dress and scrapbooking.
"Everyone had a ball with Zumba," Director of Student Activites, Cathy Butler said.
Zumba is a fusion of Latin and International music/dance themes that includes aerobic/fitness effectiveness.
Self-defense was a favorite among the high school students.
"Jervi Dominguez, a senior at Whittier High School said that wearing high heels can only help with the "cheese grater," the act of using the foot to scrape down an attackers shin.
Self-defense Instructor, Carlos Gallegos showed the young women several hand
techniques as well as ways to break loose and get away from an attacker.
Gallegos stressed that awareness was a huge part of self defense.
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