BFMS Women’s Day Encourages Girls To Follow Any Career Path

Words of encouragement from professionals and visitors greeted the female students at Monday morning for the Second Annual Women’s Day. The event, which coincides with Women’s History Month, drew more than 50 women from the community.

Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BFMS) principal Lennox Small, who led a event for male students in February, told the female students how women today are still breaking through glass ceilings and overcoming barriers.

“We need younger people like you to contribute to a tradition of firsts,” Small said. “The first to solve some of our major global conflicts that have been authored by men. The first to find a cure for AIDS and cancer. The first woman to serve as the president of the United States of America. The first to own media outlets in the form of television stations, newspapers, magazines and music labels so that women will not be presented in such derogatory images.”

Small then gave examples of local female leaders that all the students would be familiar with.

The audience was then treated to student performances including a brief dance recital.

The bulk of the event included a question-and-answer panel discussion that was moderated by Khaya Myers and that featured:

• Wanda McKiver, writer, director and producer of Wanda McKiver Productions, LLC
• Yvonne Segars, public defender for the state of New Jersey
• Tanya Andersen, senior associate scientist at Pfizer and BFMS alumna
• Nikki Doerr, Miss Teen New Jersey International
• Danielle D’Onofrio, BFMS eighth-grade student council president
• Shelley Worrell, BFMS PTO president

At the start of the panel discussion, Segars told the students to never give away their power.

“That might resonate differently with each of you, but giving away our power is a few things,” she said. “It’s not taking advantage of the education that we have before us, that is given freely to you. Also understand the power of the word ‘no.’ No to sex, no to drugs, no. No, no, no.”

Segars pointed out that it may feel hard to say no, but she encouraged students to say no to others who want to copy their notes or homework; who want them to go somewhere they’re not supposed; who want them to let people in their house that they’re not supposed to; or who want them to visit inappropriate sites on the Internet.

“The more comfortable you get with the word ‘no,’ the more opportunities you will open up to ‘yes’ in your life,” Segars said. “Embrace the word no.”

McKiver and Andersen gave examples from their lives when people told them they couldn’t do something. Both women said they didn’t listen to the nay-sayers. They ultimately proved those people wrong and accomplished their goals: McKiver pursuing a career in writing and Andersen completing her college studies in four years, even though a school counselor told her that wasn’t possible.

Doerr, who will study pre-med at Loyola University on a scholarship, told the students to pursue scholarships by keeping their grades up. D’Onofrio gave self-esteem advice to her younger peers, telling them to never let anyone put them down “because you can choose your own destiny,” she said.

Worrell spoke to the mothers in the audience, telling them to pass along their strong self-esteem to their daughters and sharing words of encouragement with their children each day.

“I would say to my child every single morning, ‘Don’t let anyone steal your thunder. Build yourself up, be proud of yourself,’” Worrell said. “So mothers if you have something you can say to your daughters to keep them strong, just say it to them.”

After the panel discussion ended, Barbara Pinsak, the district's interim superintendant, gave the closing remarks.

“You were entertained, enlightened and maybe challenged,” Pinsak said. “You all have intelligence. We know you have the capacity for power ... Frankly, I can’t wait to see your stories and to hear about your journeys.”

The assembly concluded with all the eighth-grade girls receiving a gift bag.

Teaneck resident Sheronne Richardson said she was glad she participated in the morning activities.

“I thought it was a great event to motivate the girls, especially the ones who may have low self-esteem,” she said. “And I just thought it was great to come out and show my support.”

Editor's Note: A quote in this article stated that Angela Davis was the first woman to lead Teaneck High School. Helen B. Hill was in fact the first woman to lead the school. The article has been changed.