Images: Vassar College
A Publication of the ALANA Center
Community: Sistah Power! Program
By Anonymous
The Sistah Power! Program is a semester-long independent study project that uses African dance, drumming and educational activities to foster sisterhood and empowerment for Vassar Students and 9-12 year old girls from the City of Poughkeepsie School District. Each ALANA Students in the program serves as a mentor and is responsible for developing and implementing one educational activity. Sessions are held at the Warring Magnet Academy, in Poughkeepsie and at Vassar College, each Friday from 3:30pm-5:30pm."I loved Sistah Power! because it gave me an opportunity to interact with the community and give back. I find that at Vassar you can isolate yourself within the bubble and forget that there is a real world and real people out there. Sistah Power gave me a way to exit the bubble and learn the lessons I can’t get inside the classroom. "
- Nicole Savage ‘08
"The reason I joined the Sistah Power! Program is to help girls become more comfortable thinking for themselves and encourage them to think about some of the messages that are portrayed in society today that could possibly limit their potential for achievement."
- Dyana Boxley ‘10
"Sistah Power! gave me the opportunity to stop focusing on myself and my life and realize there are things bigger than me and more important than me in this life. It allowed me to teach, learn, and grow. It was a necessary experience in my educational and personal career at Vassar. "
- Torrie Williams ‘08
"I joined Sistah Power! because I wanted to help young girls see the importance of sisterhood, respect for oneself and other people, and the power of friendship."
- Gabrielle Phillip ‘09
"I joined Sistah Power! because I wanted a chance to interact with young girls of the community."
- Kristin Woods ‘08
"What really excited me about the program was being afforded the opportunity to make an impact on the experience of girls traversing the tumultuous road of adolescence and young adulthood. But what surprised me was that the girls impacted me just as much – if not more – than I hopefully impacted them."
- Aletheia Higgins ‘08
"What I appreciated most about Sistah Power! was the girls’ excitement, eagerness, and willingness to contribute a part of themselves into the activities and program, even if that meant stepping out of their comfort zone."
- Bonnie Velez ‘10
"I appreciated being able to bond with not only young women of color from the community, but also bonding with the ladies of Vassar College."
- Lauren Shores ‘08
The ALANA Center, 124 Raymond Ave Box 423, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0423