5 Stories Of Empowerment In Newark For Women's History Month

NEWARK, NJ — Looking for stories of empowerment in Newark for Women's History Month? You won’t have to look far – Newark is full of female community leaders and groups who are making the city proud.

Catch up with just a few of them below.

‘LOVE YOURSELF FIRST’

An inspiring event recently took place at Marion P. Thomas Charter School, where an eager group of teens gathered to get advice from leaders including K. Muhammad, a community service officer with the Newark Police Department.

The group included women working in fields such as job coach, fashion designer and makeup artist to entrepreneur, project management and chief executive officer. During the two-hour empowerment workshop, Muhammad and the other panelists spoke about their life experiences and how it helped them in their careers.

Muhammad told the teens about her experience as a teen mom in high school and later as a 25-year-old woman, when she lost several job opportunities after getting arrested with a “guy who had a weapon on their date.”

But Muhammad – now 39 – turned her life around, following in the footsteps of family members who were police officers, she said.

Among her advice for the young women in the audience was simple: don’t get sidetracked by relationships before you find peace with yourself.

“I’m begging you … love yourself first,” she said, repeating the phrase three times. “I didn’t get that pep talk that us young women need today.”

Several of the teens said Muhammad’s advice hit home.

“She understands us from our point of view,’’ said Taniyah Burwell, a 17-year-old junior. “She’s somebody you can come to. She’s not judgmental.”

“Her growth is contagious,” agreed Myasia Jenkins, 18. “She inspires me to let go and find myself. She's an amazing woman.”

POWERFUL WOMEN IN POLITICS

Earlier this week, Michelle Obama Elementary School hosted its first-ever “Powerful Women in Politics” breakfast in honor of Women’s History Month.

The event saw visits from First Lady Tammy Murphy, the youngest commissioner of Somerset County, Sara Sooy, and Dr. Crystal Davis, the founding member of Morris County’s National Black Caucus.

The guests of honor paid a visit to their designated classroom, where they held Q&A sessions with students and chatted with teachers. Joined by Board of Education President Dawn Haynes and Vice-President Flohisha Johnson, as well as Superintendent Roger León, the guests of honor were then treated to breakfast and sweets.

Principal LaShanda Gilliam said the event was a nod to one of the school’s core values: leadership.

“We believe recognizing our female political leaders is important and necessary,” Gilliam said. “With that in mind, classrooms in K-2 have adopted a Woman in Politics to study the entire month of March.”

“Our students have learned a great deal about the backgrounds of these amazing women,” Gilliam said.

VISIT FROM THE LT. GOVERNOR

Earlier this month, Pillar College in Newark got a visit from a high-profile Essex County politician: Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.

Oliver, an East Orange resident who graduated from the Newark public school system, called the college a “best kept secret,” praising its newly launched MBA in Social Sector Management degree.

“Pillar College has exactly the program I would be teaching in if I had the opportunity – an MBA in social sector management,” Oliver said, adding that many well-meaning social service organizations could increase their effectiveness by ramping up their leadership training.

According to a news release from the college:

“[Lt. Gov. Oliver’s] one-on-one conversations with several of the school’s leaders provided an immersion in what differentiates Pillar College – such as being the only school in Newark to offer a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and how Pillar is rolling out a program specifically for black men who are interested in earning an elementary education degree. They also discussed the importance of Financial Literacy, and how Pillar College prepares each student for success with a Financial Literacy Course taught by certified financial coaches.”

“Our visit with Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver was tremendous,” Pillar College President Rupert Hayles Jr. said. “She listened intently, shared strategically, and engaged us in levels that many leaders do not.”

‘OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE’

Last week, Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver held a re-election campaign event that also got a visit from Lt. Gov. Oliver.

According to a news release from McIver, the Women’s Brunch – which carried the message of “Our Seat At The Table” – was also held as a tribute to Women’s History Month.

“I am so proud to have Lt Governor Oliver serving as a guest speaker,” McIver said. “As a local girl born and raised in Newark, she is the embodiment of strong women today.”

DIVERSITY IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

Recently, KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy notched a big win, earning the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles.

According to a news release, schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have “expanded girls’ access in AP computer science courses.”

“We are so excited to congratulate our female AP computer science students and their teacher, Mr. Harold Brown on this step toward gender parity in computer science education,” said Sharmaine Lewis, NCA school leader.

“We know that our students our powerful beyond measure and we’re honored that our school earned this distinction,” Lewis said. “We look forward to seeing these young women and others pursue and achieve success in computer science education and careers while living out our school values of humanity, excellence and courage.”

“By encouraging young women to study advanced computer science coursework, Newark Collegiate Academy is closing the gap in computer science education and empowering young women to access the opportunities available in STEM career fields,” said Stefanie Sanford, College Board chief of Global Policy and External Relations.

“Computer science is the foundation of many 21st- century career options, and young women deserve equal opportunities to pursue computer science education and drive technological innovation,” Sanford said.

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