Penn women take 'daughters' to work

In an effort to encourage females in the workplace, University students hosted local high school girls in celebration of Take Our Daughters Out to Work Day yesterday. The national event was created by the Ms. Foundation five years ago in response to studies that showed girls have lower self-esteem and expectations for the future than boys. Locally, the day is sponsored by One to One Philadelphia, a community service organization. Alpha Kappa Delta Phi hosted the day at the University, in which more than 90 Penn and high school students took part. After a reception in Houston Hall, the high schoolers attended classes with the Penn students to learn about college life. The students -- who were excused from school for the day -- were 9th- and 10th-graders from George Washington Carver High School in Engineering and Science and Martin Luther King High School. College freshman Jill Evancho -- who hosted a student -- noted, "I thought it would be cool because when I was in high school I didn't know much about college? it seemed kind of intimidating, especially in 9th or 10th grade." Many of the high school students participating in the day said they already have career plans. "I would like to see different computer rooms, different art rooms and also stuff I am not interested in," said Carver High 9th-grader Asia Spady -- who wants to be a computer animator. And Michele Lamarr, a Carver High 9th-grader who wants to become a pediatrician, added, "I think it's good for women to interact with each other.? We can learn from them." College sophomore Kelly Reid, who brought a high schooler to her classes for the day, said she hopes the high school students will become interested in gaining further education after they graduate from high school. "I hope to show my mentee what Penn is about and hopefully encourage her to pursue college," she said. Watching an adult at work is not new to 10th-grader Sheretta Allen. Last year, she participated in a similar program, called "Shadow Day," during which she visited radio station WDAS for the day. Allen noted that the University might be in her future. "If the campus and stuff is up to par, I just might go here," she said. And 10th-grader Ayana Coston -- who attended a summer program at the University -- added that she hopes to go to study optometry. "I've considered [Penn], but I'm trying to find a place that has a good optometry program," she said. Alpha Kappa Delta Phi Vice President for Community Service Snigdha Bollampally -- who organized the event -- said she hopes the high school students would be able to focus more on the future after their day at the University. "We want them to get an idea of what college life is like -- especially since the world is getting very competitive," the College sophomore said.