Saturday’s Me, Too Conference showcased several female powerhouses living in the Delta.
The program, in its 14th year, aims to teach young girls about the transition into womanhood. The conference is open to girls ages 8 to 14.
Ericka Wheeler, a Greenwood native and Rhodes Scholar, was the event’s guest speaker.
Wheeler was introduced by Dr. Jennifer Wilson, superintendent of the Greenwood Public School District.
Wilson told the girls in the crowd that while she had never taught Wheeler personally, she was “so proud because I know that if she can do it, so can you.”
Wheeler made history in 2015 when she became the first African-American woman from the state of Mississippi to be awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Only 32 U.S. men and women were awarded the honor this year. She will depart for Oxford University in England on Sept. 24.
Wheeler graduated from Millsaps in May with bachelor’s degrees in English and history. At Oxford, she plans to spend one year earning a master’s in criminology and the next year earning a second master’s. Wheeler also announced that she had been accepted into Mayo Medical School, which has agreed to hold her spot until she returns to the U.S.
Wheeler, 22, said she’s not yet sure what her career will be, but is keeping all options open and following her interests as they develop.
In her speech, Wheeler told the girls, “the only thing that separates you from someone you think is smarter than you is hard work.”
She then asked the audience of more than 100 to close their eyes and think of a time when they had done something just to please the “cool crowd.”
“You’ve got to be different,” she said.
Wheeler said that the key to success was to keep in mind that every experience a person has shapes their future.
“Every single choice I made allowed me to meet somebody who knew more about my opportunities than I did,” she said.
Girls in the crowd told Wheeler they wanted to be teachers, surgeons, lawyers, nurses and more. Wheeler warned the girls that they shouldn’t wait until high school or college to start preparing for those careers.
Before going to college, Wheeler said she had never even heard of the Rhodes Scholarship. Making thoughtful decisions and being respectful and receptive since childhood allowed her to meet the right people later in life, she explained.
Obstetricians and gynecologists Dr. Nneka Okezie O. Okeh of Greenwood Leflore Hospital and Dr. Neeka Sanders-Johnson of Tupelo also gave presentations.
Many other professionals were in the crowd, including a physical therapist, a nurse practitioner and a psychiatrist. All of the women were used as examples to show the girls that their dreams were achievable.
Barbara “Tina” Gray, founder of the Me, Too Conference, was excited to welcome students who had traveled to attend Saturday’s meeting.
One of those students was 14-year-old Precious Bounds, a student from West Tallahatchie High School.
Bonds said it was her first year attending the conference but she plans to tell her younger friends about it so that they could come next year.
Parents also praised the conference.
“It’s a very inspirational program for our young girls,” said Ethel Hemphill Bush, a veteran of the conference who came with her girls, ages 9 and 13.
“It teaches them to go on and educate themselves and inspires them to move forward,” she said. “We as parents have to motivate our children from the time they're born.”
Lizzie Gillespie, attending the conference with her great nieces, echoed Bush's praises.
“I just want them to know how women are supposed to carry themselves,” she said.
Her two nieces both want to attend college and become successful career women, and Gillespie said the conference allows them to see women who have done just that.
Mississippi Valley State University also had strong representation at the conference.
Miss MVSU 2016 Symone Daniels came to show her support and hold conversations with some of the girls. Seniors Alexis Stevenson and Kayla Washington served as volunteers at the event, helping with registration and prizes.
• Contact Chloe Ricks at 581-7124 or cricks@gwcommonwealth.com.
