By Alexandra Golder
Intern
For many, the U.S. Marine Corps is man’s work. But not to First Sgt. Sandra LaRochelle, who spoke to the girls gathered at the first annual Port City Super Girls in downtown Wilmington Saturday, Jan. 30.
“I’m here because you’re all very important to the community and me,” LaRochelle said. “You have to believe that you have the potential for greatness.”
Hosted by the Wilmington Police Department, the event at Cape Fear Community College featured educational sessions and guest speakers for girls aged 12-18, all aimed at empowering the girls to do great things.
LaRochelle told the girls that less than 7 percent of Marines are women. As first sergeant, she told the girls that she leads more than 800 men and women.
There are two types of women in this world, she said, the ones who empower others to be successful and ones who drag each other down. LaRochelle explained how she chose to be the one that empowers others, one that is a mentor and a leader.
“The choices you make today can affect the rest of your life,” LaRochelle said. “Make good choices.”
Learning how to lead is an important part of learning how to be a super girl, said event organizer Linda Rawley, the Wilmington Police Department public affairs officer. Rawley assured the girls that they all have leadership abilities.
Rawley said that a super girl is a female who empowers other people, who’s confident in herself and wants to encourage others, someone who goes against the grain and someone who overcomes challenges with grace to become a better person.
Rawley asked the girls to look at someone sitting at their table and to tell them that they are wonderful.
“I want you to understand that regardless of who says it to you, you are beautiful and wonderfully made, and you have a gift inside of you,” Rawley said.
Gifted in Rhythm and Life, a Wilmington nonprofit, performed a dance and spoke of the opportunities for youth in the community that they provide. G.i.R.L. brings young girls together to learn the importance of presentation, dedication, teamwork, commitment, community service and sisterhood.
Lt. Yolanda Sparrow of the Wilmington Police Department spoke to the girls about how she is a super girl because of her confidence.
“You have to make your vision a reality in front of your eyes,” Sparrow said.
Sparrow assisted the girls in making vision boards, which consisted of inspirational pictures on foam boards provided by the event that would later serve as a daily motivation in their lives.
“No matter how far out there it is,” Sparrow said, “you can do it. That’s the super girl mentality.”
At the end of the event, each girl was given a pink backpack with “be a hero” printed on it and a pink shirt with “lead like a girl” printed on its back.
“You are definitely super girls,” Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo told the girls.
Saffo stressed the importance of the local community empowering these young girls to make them understand that they can do anything. He urged the girls to inspire and empower themselves.
“We’re very privileged in the city of Wilmington to have a mayor that is concerned about the young people of our community,” Rawley said.
The Wilmington Police Department plans more events to empower girls in the area, Rawley said, including a 5k obstacle course challenge at the end of April.
