Women Empowerment is Strong and Alive at HVCC

By Isabella Smarro, Managing Editor

What is women’s empowerment to you? The official definition is “the process of empowering women. Empowerment may be defined in several ways, including accepting women’s viewpoints or making an effort to seek them, raising the status of women through education, awareness, literacy and training.”

Since the moment women opened their mouths to speak their opinion for the first time, the world around hushed them. Women of all races, colors, religions and sexualities were told that their thoughts came second or not at all.

Civil rights activist, author and poet, Maya Angelou, writes, “You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise,” in her poem “Still I Rise.”

Whenever I read that out loud, it empowered me as a young woman to never stop speaking my mind even though everyone might not want to hear what I say. 

Luckily, at Hudson Valley Community College I am not the only one who has something to say. I spent the last couple of weeks asking female staff members their personal opinions on Women Empowerment, The #MeToo movement and issues about sexism in the school environment.

Julie Hecht, an Adjunct Instructor at HVCC, said that conversations developed in her classes throughout the years. 

“Last year, we read a story in Short Fiction where a young male grocery store worker is ogling over some teenage girls who are shopping. One young man in my class spoke up and said how wrong it was and that young men have learned not to act that way,” Hecht recalls. 

I have had the chance to learn under Professor Hect this semester in her poetry class. 

Some of the poems we read are written around the early 1900s a time were women very little to no equality or even rights. Throughout certain works, false and sexist thoughts are provoked.

“One teachable moment I often find myself in is when we are reading materials that are more classic and maybe a little dated. It’s so interesting to note the way the world has changed,” Hecht said.

The fight for women’s rights and equality has improved greatly through the generations but it’s not even close to done. For many women, safety and being taken seriously are two huge problems they still face daily.

“While teaching ASL we cover all areas of gender equality as well as any other cultural diversity awareness we can with signs. All are connected, the more aware people are, the more connected we can become,” Melissa K Adams-Silva, the school’s sign language teacher said.

Teachable moments are often found in times where people weren’t looking to be taught at all. A passionate revolution that has been sparking change around the world is known as the #Metoo movement. The #Metoo movement is a social movement against sexual abuse and sexual harassment where people publicize allegations of sex crimes.

Luckily neither teacher I’ve spoken to has faced or seen any form of sexual abuse or harassment in the workforce. Sadly not all students can say they feel the same way, that’s why Hudson Valley has multiple resources for anyone who needs support.

“They should talk to someone, get help, at HVCC there are people to talk to, places to go to get help. You should not have to hold it in, feel embarrassed, nor should you feel powerless,” Adams-Silva said.

“I would recommend a woman or trans student who feels victimized in any way to turn to a trusted instructor for help. I’m not exaggerating–the staff and faculty at HVCC are so open and approachable. There is no way a student in that position would ever be ignored or “brushed off,” Hecht said.

I also spent some time looking through the school’s main website to find anything that would support issues in this topic. On HVCC’s catalog option you can find a page titled SaVe and Violence Against Women. Here, you can find an introduction to what these issues such as stalking and sexual assault mean. The second link sends you to support systems.

At the end of the day, the only way women empowerment and respect will become a daily lifestyle is if women speak up for what they want. These two teachers are just some powerful female advocates I got to talk to. HVCC is filled with both students and staff members who support and desire change, I know I’m one of them.