Students Find their Voice in Colonie’s Women’s Empowerment Club

By R. Garzone

February 17, 2022

(Colonie, NY) In the chaotic world we live in, Colonie High School’s Women’s Empowerment Club offers a place where everyone belongs.

In 2018, then Colonie senior Danielle Nimako had the idea of establishing a club but wasn’t sure what the topic should be. After research and observations, she decided to found Women’s Empowerment Club, asking Social Studies teacher Mrs. Colette Richardson to be the faculty advisor.

Nimako’s focus was to ensure the club would be a safe environment for women and their allies.

“I wanted to start Women’s Empowerment Club for all self-identifying women regardless of race, gender identity, or sexuality. I wanted to create a safe space and a support system,” Nimako said.

This has been the goal of the club every year since its inception.

Current President, senior Naomi Gonzalez, points out that Women’s Empowerment Club has made her feel heard and given her the confidence to be a leader.

Most activities in the club and the subjects discussed are decided every year by the students in charge, not by advisors.

“I try to be the facilitator and not dictate what they should do. But anything you want to do, I try to help you do that,” Richardson said.

Even though a different group of students leads the club each year, the theme of self-care seems to be prevalent every time.

One of the projects involving self-care included a “self-care package” with positive notes to self and homemade stress balls that Gonzalez cites as her favorite thing she’s done as part of Women’s Empowerment Club.

“It definitely sparked my journey in taking care of myself,” Gonzalez said.

The club’s most recent projects have included Women in Black History and “Galentine’s Day.”

In the past, they have worked on initiatives like meditation and self-defense, as the Vice President takes part in taekwondo.

In addition to the work Women’s Empowerment Club does in school, they have also participated in Breast Cancer Awareness walks and organized a shoe collection that went to children in other countries.

Mrs. Richardson states that she would like to see the club partner with the League of Women Voters for voter registration drives.

Both Gonzalez and Richardson said they would like to continue to see the support system Women’s Empowerment provides for many students.

Club meetings are every other Wednesday in Room 224. Anyone can join at any time, contact Mrs. Richardson for more information and the Google Classroom code.