Modesto Junior College’s Women’s Empowerment Luncheon will be presented virtually on March 5.
This event will celebrate and honor the successes and accomplishments of women in the local community. The luncheon 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.
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. 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.
Dittman, CEO, The Seventh Dove, is a mother, a marketing consultant and an advocate for women. 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. Dittman currently serves as leader of The Seventh Dove, a project that helps women build and sustain stronger lives while breaking free from abuse.
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 the community deserve to live free from oppression and poverty. 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 Garcia’s past, she has gained insight into forming a deep understanding of women in similar situations and loves to empower them.
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.
Hernandez is currently a Riverbank City Councilmember and specializes in non-profit communications. 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.
This event is sponsored by the Associated Students of Modesto Junior College. Go to https://www.mjc.edu/studentservices/sdncl/womensempowermentluncheon.php to RSVP or call (209) 575-6700 for more information.
