To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, two Blackstone Valley Prep scholars from Elementary School 3 had the special opportunity to participate in Central Falls Women’s Day: Empowering Young Leaders, an event hosted by Central Falls Mayor and BVP’s Vice Board Chair Maria Rivera at City Hall.
Joanna Lopez and Caroline Garcia, both 4th grade scholars and Central Falls residents, enjoyed lunch with Mayor Rivera, shadowed a city employee to learn the ins-and-outs of municipal government, heard from powerful women leaders in the community, and met with Central Falls police officers over ice cream.
“One word that I would use to describe [the day] is ‘amazing,'” said Joanna. “It was life changing. It’s not every day you meet the mayor and spend a whole day with her.”
An aspiring politician, Joanna said she learned that politicians are powerful women. “I want to represent myself and others… This event convinced me that I want to be a politician. It made me feel like I can achieve that dream.”
Caroline’s experience was equally as positive. “The woman [I shadowed] showed me all the events that Central Falls has, like giving out Easter baskets.” She also learned “to ignore people that may want to take you down, negative comments, and focus on the positive.” Caroline said she would love to volunteer at the Mayor’s Office when she gets older!
Thank you, Mayor Rivera, for providing our scholars with this experience!
Joanna, center in front of Mayor Rivera, and Caroline, far right
Photos courtesy of the Central Falls Mayor’s Office
