Malverne and Uniondale team up for an empowering workshop

Malverne High School played host last week to a collaborative effort with students from Uniondale as part of the ongoing Girls Policy Network initiative. This collaborative venture is centered on empowering women students to put their minds together and collaborate on finding policy-based solutions that will work towards improving the issues that they see in the areas they live in. various aspects of their communities.

And who could possibly lead a workshop on women's policy more effectively than women actively shaping policy? Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe, and a representative from the office of Assemblywoman Taylor Darling, who took a break from their Albany meeting to engage with the students via Facetime, not only participated in the student workshop but also offered valuable guidance as the students worked on formulating their presentations.

“Empowering girls today means shaping the leaders of tomorrow,” Assemblywoman Taylor Darling told the Herald about the event. “The Girls Policy Workshop provides a platform where their voices are not just heard, but valued and acted upon, fostering a brighter, more inclusive future for all. Through mentorship, education, and advocacy — we empower girls to reach their full potential and become catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond.”

This collaborative effort, driven by the Girls Policy Network, aims to foster a sense of agency among high school girls, encouraging them to actively contribute to addressing the issues and challenges they see and live with in their own communities. This most recent session at Malverne High School allowed students to share insights, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects aimed at making positive changes in their respective areas. Through initiatives like these, students not only learn about the complexities of community issues but also develop the skills and confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our young ladies an empowering space where they can learn how to address issues they care about through policy and advocacy,” said Uniondale’s superintendent, Monique Darrisaw-Akil. “This is an important skill for them to have and it is equally important for young women to learn how to be changemakers."

“It was a pleasure to share my experiences and insights with these impressive young leaders as they collaborated on turning their ideas into action plans for improving and strengthening their schools and communities,” said Legislator Bynoe after the workshop.