Petersburg Sheriff's Office initiative: Role models share tales, inspire S.T.E.A.M. youth

PETERSBURG — The Petersburg Sheriff's Office "Girls with Dreams Become Women with Visions" program takes place at the Petersburg Public Library. The week-long initiative is dedicated to highlighting inspiring women who serve as first responders or who are in the criminal justice field.

Guest speakers include a judge, canine handler, warden, federal probation officer, federal case manager, superintendent, sheriff, police chief, military warrant officer, dispatcher, Commonwealth's Attorney and director of juvenile justice services. During the week-long initiative, they will share their stories of success with young ladies who are a part of  S.T.E.A.M., an educational approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics to provide students with a well-rounded education.

"Their unique perspective and journey is valued, and we have been honored to have women of such great caliber speak for one hour about their upbringing, career path and strategies they employed to achieve success. The aim is to motivate and empower young girls by showcasing real-life examples of strong and resilient women who have excelled in their respective fields," Vanessa R. Crawford, sheriff of Petersburg, said. "We believe that the speakers’ insights and experiences will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our participants, inspiring them to dream big and pursue their goals with determination and courage."

The program for girls was originally scheduled for July 8 - 12 from 8 a.m. - noon, however, due to circumstances beyond their control, the Petersburg Sheriff's Office will need to reschedule it. The week-long program for boys who participate in the S.T.E.A.M. program at the library is currently scheduled for August 5 - 9. Petersburg Public Library is located at 201 W. Washington Street. For more information, contact the Petersburg Sheriff's Office.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg: Role models share tales, inspire S.T.E.A.M. participants