Members of the LYDIA Society presented | 2010-05-24
Fourteen young ladies were introduced as charter members of the LYDIA Society on Sunday, May 23, 2010, at the inaugural Trumpet Ball Cotillion. LYDIA is an acronym for "Leading Youth in their Dreams, Inspirations and Ambitions."
The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency established the LYDIA Society program to promote the pursuit of self-sufficiency among families living in community-owned housing. Among the program's goals are increasing positive ambition in young girls ages 13-16 and encouraging them toward attaining their higher education goals.
"We are proud of these young ladies and the commitment they've made to pursuing their dreams," said Phil Ryan, MDHA executive director. "They are excellent representatives, not only of those in community-owned housing, but of young people throughout our city."
Over the past several months, each LYDIA member has been paired with a college-educated woman who has served as a mentor. Participants have attended bi-weekly workshops that covered a range of topics ranging from public speaking and financial fitness to goal setting and healthy lifestyle choices.
“We are honored to be a part of this historic event and introduce these ladies to the city of Nashville,” said Ronald Harvey, co-founder with his wife Regina Harvey of Dominion Financial Management, the event’s co-sponsor. “The hard work of the past few months, and the results we’ll see at the Trumpet Ball, will be just the beginning of many wonderful accomplishments in the months and years ahead.”Along with Dominion Financial Management, additional support for the event was provided by the Metro Health Department's CHOICES Program and the SISTER Program at Meharry Medical College.
Members of the LYDIA Society are:
- Brianna Acklin
- Lamontika Burns
- Marquisia Dunn
- Khalaya Ewing
- Angelica Gipson
- Alexis Greer
- Lanieshia Hamilton
- Tyieshia Hamilton
- Kearsten Hatch
- Kristiane Higgs
- Kimara Marshall
- Mekia Morrow
- Teriyana Scales
- Jessica Smith
