Violence Prevention Topic of South Gate Women's Conference

The South Gate Multicultural Women’s Club, , held its 9^th annual South Gate Women’s Conference at the South Gate Auditorium in . Women from South Gate and surrounding cities gathered for a day of empowerment and celebration.

“To empower women, that’s the focus,” said Mayor Maria Davila, who is also the club’s vice-president. “We are also celebrating Women’s History Month, as well as giving us a little time for ourselves.”

Around 500 women attended the one-day conference where they were all celebrated for their roles in the community.

“The women of South Gate and of surrounding cities need to be united,” said Sonia Miranda, president of the South Gate Multicultural Women’s Club. “They need to be recognized for their work and efforts in their communities.”

The conference served as a social gathering for local women, but also as a place where they could find out more about such issues as teen-dating violence, domestic violence and bullying.

“We are helping women so that they can go out and talk about these issues and put an end to the violence,” said Miranda.

The speakers provided tips on tackling bullying and violence.

Laura Maldonado, coordinator and case manager for the Family Violence Program, warned the women about the dangers of an abusive relationship and how the signs are never easy to spot.

“Teen-dating violence, much like domestic violence, occurs behind close doors,” said Maldonado. “We sometimes think that if we can’t see it then it must not be happening.”

Officer Ricardo Navarro from the anti-gang unit of the South Gate Police Department said effective communication between parents and their children can help prevent bullying.

“Communicating with children is very important,” said Navarro. “Kids and all people want to discuss ways of fixing their problems.”

The event ended with a lively keynote speech by Josefa Salinas, Latina radio personality from Los Angeles's HOT 92.3 fm, who shared her own struggles with bullying. She called on the women to stick together as a group, while reminding them that they are living in a time where everything is possible for them.

“The world is finally in a place where women we can get the things they want,” said Salinas. “There is nothing that your daughters cannot have.”

The South Gate Multicultural Women’s Club also honored some of its members during the conference with the Maryann Buckles award, named after a former mayor of South Gate. Recognized for their five-year service to the club were Sofia Jimenez, Julia Barraza, Teresita Godinez, Isabel Parra, Yadira Bonilla-Clayton, Veronica Lopez, Hilda Morales and Josefina Carrillo. 

See the photo gallery for more tidbits on the conference. 

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