Students from Passport Academy Charter School pose for photos during a tea party.

By Julia Beadnell, CCRP Progam
In support of Women’s Empowerment Month, Passport Academy hosted its annual tea party to celebrate the young women who are on their journey to graduate and receive their diploma. In past years, the event has had many different themes and activities from healthy relationships to overcoming trauma. This year’s focus was on the celebration of all things, positivity and commonality.
No matter what culture, ethnicity, age, profession etc, women face a unique set of challenges, experiences and expectations set by society. Women’s Empowerment Month is a reflection of the undeniable and invaluable impact women have on the world. Women are important and deserve to be more than seen, but celebrated.
Together, Passport’s Director of Community and Family Partnership, Sequela Thomas, the school’s social worker, Kiera Mallett, as well as the Teen Neighborhood Think Space partnered to facilitate an afternoon with games prizes, resources and so much more.
The Teen Neighborhood Think Space is a partnership through the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation and Passport Academy Charter School. The TNT Space supports the students at Passport Academy in their exploration of their post-secondary options and to empower youth to make informed decisions regarding their immediate and long-term goals.
A special guest included a team member from The Women’s Center and Shelter who provided resources for any participants who may be experiencing domestic violence or abuse. She even offered opportunities for one on one conversations. With so many things to stress about in life, it was important for students to have fun above all else.
Several students walked away with gift cards, mini prizes and two students even had the opportunity to have either their Senior fees or their Prom ticket paid for. Students were encouraged to dress in their best tea party attire and take advantage of the many photo opportunities.
One of those was the Affirmation Mirror, where students were prompted with the following phrase; “You Are So Much More Than You See” and asked to write their own affirmation of encouragement and self love.
British writer Mohadesa Najumi said “The woman who doesn’t require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.”
The event was a chance to remind teens that validation does not come from others opinions, money, clothing, social status, looks, etc. It starts with in and requires a constant reminder. The mirror will be a permanent fixture of the school not only leaving a legacy of this year’s class, but will provide reminders to the next generation of incoming students of their power.