DC Youth Exchange Life Lessons with President's Sister

Dec. 28, 2009 - PRLog -- A roomful of enthusiastic pre-teen girls greeted Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng when she arrived at their afterschool program in Southeast Washington, DC on December 15. The 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade girls’ initial excitement stemmed from their guest’s family ties; Soetoro-Ng is the sister of President Barack Obama. However, the youth soon learned that the substance of Soetoro-Ng’s experiences and accomplishments outshines the glamour of her proximity to power.

Soetoro-Ng visited the girls at Interstages, a nonprofit youth development program, to participate in the group’s Successful Women of Color series. During Soetoro-Ng’s 90-minute visit, she shared pieces of her life story that found resonance with many of the girls. As she described her childhood, the President’s half-sister stopped to ask the group, “How many of you have complicated families?” Hands shot up around the room. “Well, I have a complicated family, too,” she said.

Soetoro-Ng took the opportunity to pass on important lessons she learned from her late mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, whom she credits with sparking her curiosity and fueling her dreams. “She taught me and our President, my brother, that there was no place we couldn’t go,” she said. “You can go anywhere, as long as you respect it.”

The Successful Women of Color series is a monthly event at Interstages, designed as a way to introduce the girls in the program to a wide range of potential role models. “The themes that Dr. Soetoro-Ng shared with the girls—the importance of cross-cultural dialogue, taking risks, and learning from mistakes—encompass some of the most vital lessons we can communicate to our youth,” said Herb Scott, Chairman of Interstages’ Board of Directors.

Executive Director Noel Tieszen agreed. “We designed the Successful Women of Color series so the girls could interact with women who define success in a variety of ways.” The group features women who serve as examples for girls learning to chart their own lives.

According to Interstages participant Mellarra, age 11, Soetoro-Ng fit the bill. “Ms. Maya is a very sweet person,” she said. “She is a role model for those kids who don’t have one, and I know she can guide you to a good place, so keep your eyes open!”

Che’la, 13, came away with this specific message: “I learned that money is not everything to Ms. Maya.”

Courtney, 11, learned that “when you make mistakes in life, you could still achieve things.”

For Kellie, 12, meeting Maya Soetoro-Ng came down to three words: “She’s like that!”

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About Interstages: Founded by former DC Public Schools teachers in 2005, Interstages, Inc. provides opportunities for early adolescent girls in low-income neighborhoods to discover talents, strengthen and develop skills, and heighten self-awareness, setting the stage for a successful transition into young adulthood. To fulfill this mission, Interstages operates a daily afterschool youth development program serving middle school girls in Washington, DC’s Wards 7-8. Three key program elements make the Interstages model uniquely successful in engaging 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade girls: (1) exclusive focus on early adolescence, (2) academic personalization, and (3) connecting to history through music and the arts. Visit http://www.interstages.org to learn more.