By COLONEL (Ret.)
NORMA JEAN BRADFORD
Special to The Sun-Sentinel
We can’t change the whole world, but we can help impact how our girls go out into the world to help make changes.
Charleston High School Class of 1983 alumnus Norma Jean Bradford and her nonprofit, Best Intentions Community and Family Services, sponsored the third annual Girls’ Empowerment Summer Retreat in Cascilla June 29-30.
Over the two-day period, 17 girls attended. We spent two days educating, sharing, instilling, inspiring, exposing and, hopefully, making a positive impact on the lives of these young girls, ages 8-17.
The goals of the retreat are:
• Equip girls with leadership techniques and coping skills
• Educate, expose and empower
• Improve and instill levels of confidence in girls!
Day one:
After we finished with the registration and breakfast, we got acquainted with each other, informed the girls of the purpose of the retreat and did a fun icebreaker game.
The topics that we presented were being a leader wherever you are, leadership techniques, qualities of a leader, the importance of education, social media and its consequences (good and bad), fashion (their interpretation of appropriate and inappropriate attire and when and where to wear what), personal greetings, etiquette and how to cope with fear. The girls were given the opportunity to speak freely, exchange experiences and ask presenters questions on any of the topics. We reiterated that it was their retreat, and we were there for them.
Day two:
When the girls arrived on the second day, they were excited and ready to receive what we had to offer.
We started with an icebreaker, then Dr. Arletha Coffey provided an amazing, hands-on presentation on a variety of health topics, proper handwashing techniques and good hygiene.
After lunch, Mrs. Sarah Monger presented about vaping and the consequences of vaping. I was surprised how much they already knew about vaping.
Later, Dr. Eddie Ruth Bradford spent time with the girls discussing mental health issues and coping skills. Dr. Bradford’s session is becoming a favorite among the girls. All other adults are removed from the room, and they speak openly about some of the issues that they are experiencing.
We believe we reached our goals by sharing experiences and techniques, interaction, providing leadership opportunities and allowing girls to share in a safe, no judgment environment.
We provided a continental breakfast, hot lunch and snacks daily. At the end of each day, the girls were able to shop for clothes, shoes, jewelry and other goodies (all free!).
We sent them off with a bag of goodies, spa bags, $25 gift cards and cash, and, more importantly, tools and techniques on how to handle some of the situations that life will throw at them. They also received certificates of completion and participation for being a part of the retreat.
My mindset is that if we can help at least one girl navigate through some of life’s experiences, then we are making an impact. I love to see some of the girls come year after year.
My hope is that each one of the girls knows that they are unique and valued, feel more empowered and confident and inspired to accomplish their goals in life. It is important for us to give back to our local communities!
We See You Young Girls. You All Are Our Future!
Thank you to our volunteers and presenters, Dr. Eddie Ruth Bradford, Dr. Arletha Coffey, Mrs. Sarah Monger, Paul Gallaspy, Louise Andrews, Bernice Bradford and Mary Andrews.
Thank you to sponsors Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Cascilla; Watson’s Auto of Kansas City, Missouri; Women Veterans Interactive, Ginger Miller of Maryland; Charity Chambers of Georgia; and Bessie Watson of Cascilla.
