Women's Empowerment Luncheon
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 event features a panel of influential community members and concludes with the Women’s Empowerment Awards.
Modesto Junior College Women's Empowerment Luncheon will be held in person on March 11, 2022 at 12:00 open doors open at 11:30 a.m. Located in the West Campus Mary Stuart Rogers building.
Click here to RSVP
2022 Event Program
Welcome
MJC Vice Presidents- Dr. Andrea Wilson, Dr. Jennifer Zellet, Dr. Sarah Schrader
ASMJC Student Body President- Maria Marquez
Luncheon Panelist
Cecilia De La Torre
Founder of The Peach Lab
Cecilia is the founder and CEO of The Peach Lab and Come As You Are. She’s always seen others for what they were yet to become and through fitness it allowed her to guide women to become mentally and physically strong. As her journey went on she discovered mental health and realized that it all stems from the mind and Come As You Are was born. Cecilia is passionate about seeing other women grow and become the best version of themselves.
Anna Ennis
Owner of Anna Ennis Co
Anna is the owner of annaennis.co consulting and business development. She is also the creator of Ready, Set, Six Figures and Founder of the High Achiever Society. Anna has is a Best-Selling Author, married to Jason Hatton for over 15 years, and mother to Tillie 11 and Taci 10. Anna lives in Modesto but has clients nationwide. She is active in many groups and non-profits while being a business woman; a board member The Food Initiative, a part of Ceresrotary, Youth For Christ, VFW and anything military related, or having to do with feeding others will be causes she always supports.
Joanna Esparza
Local Entrepreneur, Real Estate Agent, Author, and Nonprofit Founder
Joanna is a woman of many talents, but most importantly her heart is for her community
and making a difference in the lives of others. At the age of 23, Joanna fearlessly
followed her passion to help women and founded the
non-profit, She Became. The organization’s mission is to edify, empower and encourage
young girls, teenagers, and women in the heart of the Central Valley via peer mentorship
and inspirational workshops.Through her family owned insurance and financial services
office, her husband and herself, have helped many families and continue to do so.
In 2019, Joanna decided to share her personal story of perseverance,resiliency, and
faith through her first book, Discover Your True Worth. Joanna has received the Stanislaus
Outstanding Woman of the Year Award and the MJC Women’s Community Empowerment Award.She
graduated from a Leadership Advocacy Building cohort from Rise Up and from the Latino
Leadership Initiative Cohort from City Network Ministry. Joanna continues to serve
on nonprofit boards and committees to contribute her gifts and talents to her community
and make Stanislaus County and beyond a better place.Her vision is to help you reach
your goals of having the best experience possible when it comes to reaching and accomplishing
your goals. Joanna has one priority and that is to help you achieve your happiness.
Fallon Ferris
Executive Director
Fallon is a Stanislaus County Native who has a passion for helping others. She received her Bachelor’s in Business from Utah State in 2017 and is currently in the process of receiving her Masters of Communications from the University of Denver. She truly believes that each student has the opportunity to design their future pathway through their own creativity and desires. That is what this program is about, about the success of the students of color within Stanislaus County. Ensuring each student has the opportunity to define their passions and see what all this world has to offer.
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 Erica Ayala- Invest in Me Leadership Program
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 Aaron Sanchez Counselor
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 Melanie Berru Sociology Professor
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 Jennifer Novoa
The event is hosted by Campus Life & Student Learning.
For additional information contact Campus Life & Student Learning Manager Alejandra
Espinoza espinozaa@mjc.edu