Miami Dade College put women on the path to success. Come hear about them | Opinion
As we celebrate Women’s Month, I want to pause and reflect on those inspiring women who instilled in me the important values that have shaped my life. From my beloved mother, with her impetus and impeccable rectitude in life, my mentors in the profession and the professionals who accompany me daily on this journey.
I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them, for their support and motivation to achieve my biggest dreams. As the mother of an adolescent, I to pave the way for all girls to aspire to have a better future.
It is a time to recognize the enormous contributions that women have made throughout of this country’s history.
The industrialized world was going through a revolution in the mid-19th century, and women demanded equal rights and better working conditions. Since then, it hasn’t been easy, but the sacrifice has been worth it.
Our community has much to be proud of, with a rich history of women who have made significant contributions. Miami was founded by Julia Tuttle, a businesswoman who owned the property upon which the city was built, and our beautiful Brickell area owes its existence to Mary Brickell. The county is led by its first female mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, and our Major League Baseball team is led by Kim Ng, with Caroline O’Connor as the first female president.
At Miami Dade College, I am honored to serve as the first female president to lead the nation’s largest and most diverse university.
There is much to celebrate and do to empower women who want to excel. This month, we have several events at all MDC campuses. On the Kendall Campus, for example, information sessions will be held with expert directors of MDC’s international student training department and others on how to revalidate a degree from abroad in the United States. Professionals who want to start a career in this country can even take an exam to determine their level of English proficiency, while we offer them academic resources.
Recently, at the North Campus, Betty Davis, WPLG Local 10’s chief meteorologist, a much-loved television personality, shared the experiences of her 20-year career in the media.
On March 20, at the West Campus, in the city of Doral, leaders of the multinational technology company IBM will talk about their experiences as women in the technological world.
On March 27, on the Kendall Campus, MDC will present a panel of influential personalities who will share their experiences and personal stories to inspire our audience — including students and members of the community — and guide women who want to return to the workforce, but don’t know how to get started.
On March 29, at the West Campus, the Florida Defensive Training company will offer a quick course on self-defense techniques for women and on how to handle aggressors in violent attacks.
One of my main objectives is to redouble my efforts to eliminate gender inequality through education, especially in the areas of business and technology, which have experienced tremendous growth in South Florida, and where the representation of women is still limited.
The best way to inspire young women to start a business or attain a college degree is to encourage them through real success stories, like the ones that start at Miami Dade College.
Madeline Pumariega is president of Miami Dade College.
