Blog: Daughters of Faith: Inspiring Rochester's Young Women

Statement

On Saturday, August 23rd, I was honored to join the Daughters of Faith for their ribbon cutting ceremony. The Daughters of Faith is a dynamic and passionate group of women which provides young women ages 13-18 in Rochester with resources and mentorship that will help them navigate their future. Here in Rochester and across the country, young women need this investment. Girls need strong women to mentor, train, and inspire them. Even though girls are performing better in school and they are graduating at higher rates than their male peers, time and time again, women are not given credit for their contributions, from scientific breakthroughs to the boardroom. Groups like Daughters of Faith are aiming to change that.

When these young women have been encouraged, nurtured, and developed, they'll be stronger leaders and learn to stand up for themselves. Our girls will transform the culture that says women should sit on the sidelines. They'll be successful, accomplished, and make tremendous contributions to Rochester and to our nation; I am fully confident of that.

The Daughters of Faith offer an array of programs resources to our young women that include computer classes, resume workshops, and job interview seminars. It is through these educational components that Daughters of Faith will give women the edge in landing a job, especially in today's highly competitive job market. More importantly, this organization is making a long-lasting, positive impact on young girls early on in life so they can follow their dreams. The opportunities are limitless with the guidance that the Daughters of Faith provides.

One shining example of this kind of support for girls is Sheridan Pickett, who joined me at the Daughters of Faith ribbon cutting. I've known Sheridan since the late 90's, when she was just a little girl. This past May, Sheridan graduated from Canisius College with a B.S. degree in Psychology, with a minor in neuroscience. She is planning to enter the University of Rochester to obtain her Master's in Public Health. As a scientist and MPH myself, and for so many other reasons, I am tremendously proud of Sheridan and her achievements. But, her success is shared: she did not travel her pathway alone. Many people, especially women, were an integral part of it. Teachers, mentors, her family, and others led and guided her. Programs like Daughters of Faith will provide that kind of nurturing support, and I'm certain that Sheridan will be one of thousands of young women who pursue higher education, challenging careers, and fulfilling lives.

Every young girl in Rochester has a bright future: maybe a small business owner with a storefront in the South Wedge, an engineer in a photonics and optics laboratory at the University of Rochester, or maybe even a member of Congress! Groups like Daughters of Faith will help our young girls achieve those heights, and I am proud to lend them my support.

Source