'I am a lady'

130 young ladies take part in Girls to Women Conference

Joe Perry / The Item Sheriff Anthony Dennis and Senior Investigator Melissa Addison listen to Shakeema Osborne talk about what she learned during the Girls to Women Conference on Saturday.

By JOE PERRY
Item Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

Chestnut Oaks Middle School's cafeteria was a happening place on Saturday.

One hundred and thirty young ladies participated in the first Girls to Women Conference, and they were fairly brimming with confidence, inspiration and energy after taking part in the Gang Resistance, Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program hosted by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

Lashaundea Scott, a 16-year-old rising junior at Crestwood High School, told the audience about how she wants to attend either Claflin or Winthrop universities to major in business management and also how she wants to get involved in cosmetology.

"We can do anything we put our minds to, if we put God first," she said, smiling broadly and to raucous applause.

Scott and her peers participated in workshops about female gangs, how to be safe on social networking Web sites, the virtue of abstinence and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases, how to further her education, how to understand finances and budgeting and how to act like a lady. Sheriff's deputies and numerous volunteers mentored the young ladies with the hope of teaching them how to be successful and productive adults.

Counselor Melissa Addison, a senior investigator with the sheriff's office, lauded Shakeema Osborne for opening up and sharing her story, telling the audience the Crestwood High School junior was brave for sharing such a personal viewpoint.

"I have grown for what I shared with you guys," Osborne said. "Like Miss Trina (Sgt. Petrina Wiley) said, I am a lady."

She also told her peers not to let her clothing fool them and think she's "ghetto."

"Truth be told, I'm a Christian, a church-going girl," she said, noting her little sister was in the audience and she understands the need to set a good example, as parents and counselors clapped loudly.

Joe Perry / The Item Lorraine Dennis speaks about the importance of character on Saturday.

Sumter County Human Resource Director and Deputy County Administrator Lorraine Dennis delivered the keynote address, and opened her remarks by reading Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman."

"I am extremely proud of all of you today, for you have proven through your attendance and your attentiveness that you have a desire, in a positive way, to transition from girls to women and you are to be applauded," Dennis said.

Dennis then applauded the parents, families and guardians of the participants and thanked the sheriff's office for having the vision to address the needs and concerns of young ladies. Character was the focus of Dennis' speech, and she told the crowd they are more than their looks, likes and dislikes.

"You are what you believe and what you value. It's about character, and your character is made up of what is right, what is wrong, and what is important to you," she said.

Designer clothing, hair styles and tattoos have nothing to do with character, she said, as the most important facets involved family, friends and faith.

"If it is life you value, well, take care of your life, surround yourself with positive people, watch where you hang out, and don't allow your body to be abused for his pleasure and for you to be accepted," she said. "If it is education you value as well, learn all you can, excel to the highest, and never allow anyone to deter you or distract you from learning. With education and good character, the sky can be your limit. Remember: good character represents good values."

She admonished the young ladies to stop listening to Ludacris, Lil Wayne, T-Pain and "the rest of those thugs," as they know nothing about character.

"Let us not weaken our good character by having a bad attitude," she said. "A bad attitude as a young girl can easily overflow into womanhood, and will often hinder your success in life. I don't care how pretty you are, how smart you are, or how well dressed you are — a bad attitude will stunt your growth."

"Young ladies — I hope all you got something out of this today," said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis. "You are our future."

Jerome Gainey applauded the efforts of the sheriff's office, and was on hand for his 18-year-old daughter Keena, a Sumter High School student who was participating in the program.

"You have something for the boys (Boys to Men conference) so you got to have something for the girls," Gainey said.

"I think it's a good program."


Contact Staff Writer Joe Perry at jperry@theitem.com or (803) 774-1272.