Summit Seeks to Empower Local Youth
UTICA, N.Y. (February 17, 2021) – YWCA Mohawk Valley (YWCA MV) held their inaugural Sky’s the Limit event on February 5, presented by M&T Bank.
Sky’s the Limit is a girls’ empowerment summit for students grades 7 through 12 from school districts across Herkimer and Oneida counties. The full-day event provided three unique opportunities for young girls in attendance to learn from local women leaders and foster personal and professional growth.
“Girls have the power to change the world,” says Dianne Stancato, YWCA MV CEO. “We want them to see that. We want Sky’s the Limit to help them see their strength, use their voices, and become the empowered women we know they can be.”
YWCA MV invited local leaders Katie Aiello, Phyillis Breland, Evon M. Ervin, C. Sonia Martinez, and Maria Smith to speak on a panel to discuss their professional experiences as women. Girls led the discussion and ask questions throughout the morning.
The YWCA MV Education Department led two breakout sessions focusing on personal and professional growth. Girls were allowed to select which session they preferred to attend. The summit wrapped up with a discussion on healthy relationships, gender identity, and sexuality hosted by community partner and LGBTQIA+ advocate Erynn Lowery.
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