Monroe College Hosts “Sisters In Law: Lifting as We Climb” Female Empowerment Event for Local High School Students

The Mintz Auditorium on our Bronx campus was home to an extraordinary program this morning called "Sisters In Law: Lifting as We Climb," an uplifting, motivational female empowerment event attended by 240 students from area high schools.

The event, held on the College’s Bronx campus, welcomed prominent New York women as guest speakers. Among them: Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark, Bronx Borough President-Elect Vanessa Gibson, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Ross-Porter, NYS Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia, and NYC Councilmember-Elect Pierina Sanchez.

Darcel Clark, the Bronx County District Attorney, opened the event with rousing words that kicked off the program on the right energetic note. Monroe President Marc Jerome and Joy Tolliver, the College’s Vice President for Government Relations and General Counsel, then led the two-hour program for the highly engaged juniors and seniors from 15 Bronx and Manhattan high schools. Michael Blake, our Visiting Social Justice and Civics Fellow, was also on hand to facilitate the program. 

Today’s attendees, most of whom are women of color, were clearly moved by the powerful messages shared by the aforementioned prominent women helping lead New York State and New York City forward.

The students were challenged to dream big for themselves and for their communities, and to find the courage, conviction, and confidence to make those dreams come true. They also heard about the importance of fighting injustice, lifting each other up, finding their voices, and making them heard.

“As the father of three daughters, today’s program to motivate and inspire these young women to believe in themselves and achieve great things for their communities was especially meaningful,” said President Jerome.

He further noted: “I offer my great thanks to our very special guest speakers and to the wonderful young women who joined us this morning. Rest assured, Monroe will be offering more impactful programming like today’s event going forward.”