Teachers and administrators from Bailey Middle School, dressed in shades of red, gathered in the school cafeteria on Saturday for the Female Empowerment: Love Soiree event. 

Designed for the school’s 7th- and 8th-grade female students, the event was intended to encourage them to aim high in life and reach their goals, starting in middle school.

“This event empowers our young ladies at Bailey to have high esteem, become entrepreneurs, love the skin they are in and choose friends wisely,” Assistant Principal Dr. Kimberley Booker said. “We have been preparing for this event since November, and we are so excited to have 125 young ladies join us for this life-changing event.”

The morning began with a hot breakfast, followed by breakout sessions. Attendees were able to pick two out of the five options. Those options included a vision box-making session, one on self-esteem and mental awareness, an entrepreneurial and self-marketing training session, a talk about relationships and how to identify an unhealthy one, and a session on keeping a healthy body and a healthy mind.

The attendees then came back together for lunch and a presentation by a keynote speaker. As organizers pointed out, the event was a school and community-wide effort.

“We have community leaders here to speak with the girls during the sessions, and many community members have donated items to be gifts for the girls including candies, lotions, body sprays, nail polish, and more,” Booker said. “We are so excited for the opportunity to empower at-risk students and increase self-esteem and mental awareness here at Bailey Middle School.”