PROGRAM BOOSTS CONFIDENCE OF WOMEN IN COLLEGE

Edith Ramirez arrived in this country six years ago from Mexico, and started studies at MHCC five years ago. 

She recently participated in a leadership conference called New Leadership Oregon, which took place in June and gave her new skills and new confidence in her higher education.

“Since I arrived here, I was trying to be involved in the community,” said Ramirez. She is currently a leader and student in the Mental Health, Social Services and Addiction Counseling office at Mt. Hood, as well as being a part-time office assistant in Adult Basic Skills. She hopes to study social work and transfer to Portland State University.

The leadership conference took place mainly at PSU. Female college students from many schools, such as the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Linfield College, participated in this conference, which included a five-day residency at PSU.

The conference was based on encouraging the values of leadership in women, as well as emphasizing community and political values. Attendees were able to meet about 30 woman leaders in the community, and visit the home of one.

Participants also traveled to the state Capitol in Salem to meet with Gov. Kate Brown and others involved in state legislation. They held simulations where they had discussions with each other and defended their points on community and political issues.

“This program really helped me. It’s a great opportunity to be more confident and to increase networking and connections,” said Ramirez.

This is a program that is open to any college or university woman in Oregon; the application process begins in February, and the 2020 conference will take place in June.

Ramirez is very grateful that Deborah Saari, ESL instructor at Mt. Hood, referred her to this program, and for the generous support of others at both MHCC and PSU.

“She (Saari) believed in me more than I believed in myself at times,” said Ramirez. “With this program, they (supporters at both institutions) also helped reaffirm me to continue in school.”

For more information on the program, visit: thecenterforwomensleadership.org