Putting Women First
by Ryan Sachetta
The Martinez Street Women’s Center supports the health and well-being of low-income women and girls in east and southeast San Antonio. Assistant Director Becca Najera is part of the small staff that promotes breast cancer and diabetes awareness, and organizes positive-parenting classes for women and after-school and summer programs for 9- to 14-year-old girls. Najera joined the center eight years ago, beginning as a community health worker, or promotora, going door-to-door to promote women’s wellness.
“The first project I started working on was the breast cancer awareness project … super cut out for someone like me, because I lived it. My mother is one of eight sisters, and she lost her battle with breast cancer when I was young. To date, five of my mother’s sisters have fought and won the battle with cancer. Two are in treatment right now. … I found it astounding that Hispanics and African-Americans are least likely to develop this disease, but most likely to die.
“It’s because we don’t have access to as much health care, and there may not be as much cultural sensitivity in the health care system, so a woman may not ask a doctor for a clinical breast exam. She may feel uncomfortable, and mammograms are financially unattainable for women in this community because they [can’t] pay out-of-pocket.
SA girls celebrate Int'l Women's Day
Published On: Mar 09 2012 05:04:26 AM CST Updated On: Mar 09 2012 05:10:22 AM CST
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Thursday was International Women's Day and a group of local young girls celebrated by featuring their artwork and listening to several prominent writers at an event hosted by UTSA.
The group displayed a mural and photos they took with a theme in mind called Girls Leading The Way.
Caitlyn Romero, 10, took a photo during a march she participated in last weekend. "The reason I chose that picture is because that the women is saying a little poem about women."
Caitlyn, along with all the other girls from the Girlzone Enrichment Program were asked to capture their community and then explain what that photo means to them.
"It's important for girls to see a positive message reflected in there own lives and their own future," Joleeen Garcia with the Martinez Street Women's Center said. "We are working hard to connect them to that future because we know they have all the potential in the world."
The girls also celebrated International Women's Day by having a dialogue with some prominent women writers, who inspired them to follow their own big dreams.
"For the future I hope to have two jobs one would be a veterinarian and the second would be an art teacher," Romero said.
UTSA hosted the event to expose the young girls to the university in hopes of inspiring them to stay in school and attend college.
Girl Zone
Is a community-based educational and empowerment program for East/Southeast Girls between the ages of 9 to 14.
The goal of Girl Zone is to enhance academic potential, nurture high self-esteem, and support the healthy development of girls.
Our program provides opportunities for girls to work together to uncover their hidden talents and strengths. With projects such as Girls Leading the Way (a spring art project and exhibit) and Community Day (a culmination of a two month community service learning project) girls cultivate leadership skills, gain self-esteem, and come to understand that they can make a difference.
These activities help girls build resiliency to overcome barriers, help them think critically about their choices, and empower.