Dr. Xellex Z. Rivera, founder of #iAmSHE, a women’s empowerment organization, is kicking off a mentorship program at St. Catharine Academy. “We girls, we need each other,” Dr. X (as she is known) told the St. Catharine Academy assembly. “In subconscious ways society pits us against each other….You need to understand that you need the person next to you.”
Explaining what SHE stands for in her organization, Dr. X pointed to Sisterhood, Healing and Empowerment. She said the concept grew out of her initial image of a caterpillar which begins life meandering and often bumping into things because of poor vision, then goes into a cocoon to heal and emerges a beautiful butterfly.
Her mentorship is meant to give young women these same skills of learning to trust in one another, healing and empowerment. The program will also provide the girls with mentors. Dr. X says mentors have played a key role in her life and she believes they will guide the girls to find their paths as well. SCA is launching the mentor program with students on the high school level. As the program expands, it will also include middle schoolers.
#iAmSHE began with 25 women in 2015 and has grown to now include over 125. The mentor program at St. Catharine’s will enable students to meet women who have achieved success both academically and professionally. These women will guide our students to learn about ways to empower themselves as they continue their academic journey. Students will have the opportunity to build up their self esteem, learn about self care and solidify futuristic goals. Dr. X explained that many do not go deeply enough into the concept of self care. Women often correlate their happy place with whatever their current title is. She said the program will help girls delve deeper.
Dr. X has come to understand the need for young girls to gain empowerment because of her own life and career. She serves as the chief program officer for Housing Solutions of New York (HSNY), which runs 33 sites around the city, the majority of which are in the Bronx. She has worked with shelters for 15 years and been at HSNY for the past three. Dr. X works with a variety of groups ranging from families to those with HIV and AIDS and oversees grant funding programs spanning food and nutrition, care coordination and youth services.
When she first began her career she felt like no one was listening because she had her education but no experience. Dr. X continued to add to her academic credentials while working in the field because “I never wanted to be at a table where someone told me I couldn't sit there as a woman, especially a woman of color.”