Women's Empowerment Luncheon
Modesto Junior College’s Women’s Empowerment Luncheon will be presented virtually on Friday, March 5th at 4:00 p.m.
Please join us as we bring together members of our community, MJC staff, and MJC students to educate, celebrate, and honor the successes and accomplishments of women in our community. The virtual event features a panel of influential community members and concludes with the Women’s Empowerment Awards.
This year’s panelists include Karlha Davies, Jenilyn Dittman, Adriana Garcia, Menne Hall, and Rachel Hernandez.
Click here to view the recording of the 3rd Annual Women's Empowerment Luncheon
Click here to view the 2nd Annual MJC Women’s Empowerment Luncheon (Due to COVID-19 the luncheon was held virtually)
2021 Event Program
Welcome
MJC Vice Presidents- Flerida Arias, Dr. Jennifer Zellet, Dr. Sarah Schrader
ASMJC Student Body President- Jennifer Novoa
MC/Panel Host
Karlha Davies
Director of Alumni Engagement, Stanislaus State
Karlha Davies currently serves as the Director of Alumni Engagement at CSU, Stanislaus. She will be sharing her story as a first-generation college student and the adversities that she experienced along the way. Ms. Davies has an impressive 25+ year career in public relations, fundraising and community engagement in the sectors of non-profit, education, government and private business.
Luncheon Panelists
Adriana Garcia
Business Owner, Entrepreneur, and Project Analyst
Adriana Garcia is the current co-owner of Garcia Insurance Agency. The love for the community-directed her to become a Project Analyst for Able Works. Able Works believes the youth and families of our community deserve to live free from oppression and poverty. Ms. Garcia a recent graduate of the first Latino Leadership Initiative cohort, and she also serves on the Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as Chairwoman of the Modesto Advisory Board as well as co-chair of the Ambassador Program. She has just begun her new venture as co-owner/Secretary of Pizzeria Halt Franchising. Because of Ms. Garcia’s past, she has gained insight into forming a deep understanding of women in similar situations and loves to empower them.
Jenilyn Dittman
CEO, The Seventh Dove
Jenilyn Dittman, CEO, The Seventh Dove, is a mother, a marketing consultant and an advocate for women. Ms. Dittman served as President of the Board of Directors for Haven Women’s Center and has spent over a decade dedicated to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in Stanislaus County. She has helped raise over a million dollars in funding for various organizations by creating and participating in fundraisers and special events throughout Modesto as well as the San Francisco Bay Area. Ms. Dittman currently serves as leader of The Seventh Dove, a project that helps women build and sustain stronger lives while breaking free from abuse.
Menne Hall
Life & Leadership Coach
Menne Hall is currently the Director of Operations and Special Projects at Love Stanislaus County, Inc. and is building her private practice as a Life and Leadership Coach. Her specialty is around leading with what is commonly referred to as "Imposter Syndrome", which stems from her own personal and powerful journey of navigating through oppressive systems and spaces as a first generation, woman of color, especially in the nonprofit world. Her personal mission is to lead by example and come alongside other women who want to lead powerfully in their truth and as their authentic selves.
Rachel Hernandez
Riverbank City Councilmember
Rachel Hernandez is currently a Riverbank City Councilmember and specializes in non-profit communications. Ms. Hernandez grew up in Stanislaus County as first generation and attended Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State where she earned her Bachelors in Political Science and Masters in Public Administration. Leading with empathy has allowed her work in non-profits to connect with clients, peers, leadership, and the community. As a newly elected in Riverbank, she feels prioritizing empathy resonated in her campaign and now, as city council member. Outside of this work, she has been involved in various volunteer efforts including work with local campaigns, civic involvement, and other community efforts.
Women's Empowerment Award Recipients
Community Empowerment Award
The Women’s Empowerment Community Award is given to an individual or organization that promotes female empowerment in the community.
- 2019-2020 Joanna Esparza-President, She Became
- 2020-2021 TBD
Male Contributor Empowerment Award
The Women’s Empowerment Male Contributor Award is given to a male employee who promotes female empowerment on campus and in the community.
- 2019-2020 Hector Duarte-MJC Assistant Director, EOP&S
- 2020-2021 TBD
Women’s Empowerment MJC Employee Award
The Women’s Empowerment MJC Employee Award is given to a female employee that promotes female empowerment on campus and in the community.
- 2019-2020 Flerida Arias-MJC Vice President of Student Services
- 2020-2021 TBD
Women's Empowerment Student Award
The Women’s Empowerment MJC Student Award is given to a female student that promotes female empowerment on campus and in the community.
- 2019-2020 Ja’Nai Gomes
- 2020-2021 TBD
The event is hosted by Campus Life & Student Learning. The event is paid for by ASMJC through the Student Activity Fee.
For additional information contact Campus Life & Student Learning Manager Alejandra
Espinoza espinozaa@mjc.edu