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A moment like no other, an hour like no other and a woman like no other!
Miami Job Corps Center’s (MJCC) female students and staff had an opportunity like no other to be inspired by MJCC’s “Virtual Outstanding Role Model Award” recipient Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson. For one hour on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, MJCC hosted a ZOOM event honoring the Congresswoman for empowering its female students. “This event inspired everyone on the ZOOM’ stated MJCC Center Director Mary Geoghegan. “You could not help but be lifted up by the energy of Congresswoman Wilson, a woman like no other.”
Lesly Diaz, MJCC Career Transition Specialist was the Mistress of Ceremonies. The event had been originally planned for March 2021 in honor of Women’s History Month. Due to several unforeseen circumstances, it was postponed until now. First, Diaz introduced two soon-to-be MJCC graduates, Lyniqua Anthony and Payton Hicks. They spoke of the success story of MJCC UBC Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship graduate Paris-Louise Thermilus. “Thanks to Miami Job Corps, Paris is gainfully employed as a UBC Carpenter Apprentice and was unable to be on the ZOOM due to a conflict with her work schedule. I’d like to thank Congresswoman Wilson and the Dept. of Labor on behalf of Paris and all of our graduates for funding Job Corps to make these success stories a reality” stated Diaz.
Daniella Pierre, President, Miami-Dade NAACP was introduced next and provided the Welcoming Remarks for the event. Pierre was invited by the Congresswoman who heard that Pierre is a 1999 proud graduate of Gainesville Job Corps Center. Pierre, like so many others, credits Job Corps with “saving her life.” Pierre told of her positive Job Corps experience. She also told of meeting the Congresswoman a long time ago when the Congresswoman was a Principal at Skyway Elementary. Ever since then, Pierre wanted to connect and lead like the Congresswoman.
Mary Geoghegan, MJCC Center Director, introduced the dignitaries on the call including the Honoree, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, United States House of Representatives, Peni Webster-Lewis, Regional Director, Atlanta Region, Office of Job Corps, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor and Tanisha Nixon, Executive Director and Contract Supervisor, Adams & Associates, Inc., and Daniella Pierre, President, Miami-Dade NAACP. Geoghegan went on to say “upon meeting me for the first time, Congresswoman Wilson asked ‘what can I do for Miami Job Corps Center?’ I knew then we had a great champion for our Center and have nourished the relationship ever since.” Geoghegan reiterated “she is a woman like no other!” and then presented Congresswoman Wilson with the MJCC “Virtual Outstanding Role Model Award.”
Upon receiving the Award, Congresswoman Wilson thanked Ms. Geoghegan and the MJCC students and staff. “MJCC is near and dear to my heart. You give people a “hand-up” and I applaud Ms. Geoghegan for her outstanding leadership that makes MJCC an amazing institution. I am so proud of these young female students and happy to have them on the ZOOM to share this experience with me. We are here to empower you, lift you up and be here for you” said Wilson proudly as she spoke to the students. “I love Job Corps and I am a staunch champion.” Congresswoman Wilson recently led a hearing examining the effectiveness of youth training programs and highlighted the important role the Miami Job Corps Center plays to prepare youth for the workforce.
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson proudly represents Florida’s 24th Congressional District. It is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse districts in the nation and includes parts of northwest Miami-Dade and southern Broward counties. Miami Job Corps Center is in her District.
In Closing Remarks, on behalf of the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Peni Webster-Lewis thanked the Congresswoman for her solid support of the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Job Corps Program and for that of Miami Job Corps Center. Webster-Lewis shared a phrase from the sorority both Webster-Lewis and Wilson are in stating “Empowered Women, Empower Women!” Miami Job Corps Center would like to thank all the outstanding women who attended the ZOOM event to honor a woman like no other, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson.
