In August, an in-school female mentor group, L.I.F.E (Leadership, Image, Finance, Etiquette) was implemented at Charles Henderson High School.

“Several volunteers from the community met with the young ladies by-weekly to provide guidance, teach life skills and provide inspiration,” said Kristina Anderson, CHHS assistant principal. “After seeing how well the girls responded to the program in school, I decided that CHHS needed to share its positive outlook with the community. This was the inspiration for the S.H.E. (Self-Reliant, Hopeful, Empowered) Rally.

After obtaining permission from CHHS Principal Brock Kelley, Anderson said she, Adria Hill and Jennifer Ramirez bean planning the S.H.E. Rally.

“After sharing the idea with some of the mentors of LIFE, ideas were bounced around and a final draft created,” Anderson said. “Our speakers for the rally were Dr. Kimberly Brown-Pellum of Houston, Texas, Buffie Williams of Troy, Chelsey Holland of Brundidge, Shellie Bo Taley Williams of Dallas, Texas and Tamara Williams of Brundidge.

“All speakers volunteered their time and paid their travel expense just to meet and inspire the ladies in the Pike County area.

There were several vendors and exhibitors, including the Child Advocacy Center, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority-Troy Alumnae Chapter, Job Corps, Paparrzi Jewelry by Valerie Smeadly, Education Like Me, Troy University-National Pan-Hellenic Sororities, Sav-A-Life, Awaken Holistic and Nina Goshea’s Specialty and Custom Design