The month of March is Women’s History Month here in America. As we celebrate, it is important to take a look at groups in our community that work to empower year round. One organization that functions to build a supportive atmosphere for girls, as well as serve the community around them, is Ladies of Power.
Ladies of Power is an organization that aims to “be a support group and unite, strengthen, encourage and educate [their] ladies about how to thrive in the world around them and improve their lives overall. [Ladies of Power] hopes to motivate young ladies to believe in themselves, love themselves, and know that they can achieve anything they put their minds to.”

In their meetings it can be easily seen just how successful this organization has been at their mission in creating a loving community for their girls. Laughter fills the air of the teaching theater on Monday afternoons as the girls gather, all excited to start off another week of bonding and service. They are comfortable casually chatting with their teacher sponsor, Ms. Smajstrla, as if she were just another one of their club members. Smajstrla has worked hard to maintain this kind of environment for her girls by following in the club’s founders’ footsteps. “The original sponsors are both women that I look up to,” Samajstrla says , “I am trying my best to make sure that their pride and joy remains a stellar organization.”

The effects of Ladies of Power’s community on its girls is remarkable. The bonds built through the organization make the girls more comfortable opening up to the people around them. They learn to let their personalities shine. “I get to witness students that rarely talk in the classroom, participate in service projects or interact with their peers in the meeting,” Smajstrla said, “I see girls who are scared of speaking out, having a voice.” The members of Ladies of Power have also noticed this effect.
The president of the club, Ashley Alvez Gomez, told me that, “[She’s] seen first hand girls form friendships with people that they probably wouldn’t have spoken to if they weren’t volunteering together.” The girls also learn how to handle responsibility and develop important skills such as organization. They are not afraid to take on leadership roles, even having their meetings be student-lead. “I am always amazed by the work the ladies put into the organization,” Samjstrla said.
Ladies of Power’s impact on their students is vast, but what is not as recognized is the impact Ladies of Power has on the whole Heights and Houston community. These girls are always looking for an opportunity to lend a hand, often doing the behind the scenes work that keeps our community going. When we have important testing, such as the SAT that the juniors tok on March 2nd, Ladies of Power is there to help set up tables to prepare. The girls can often be found working to provide support to the public by assisting in food drives. Currently, they are collecting donations for a women’s shelter to provide Houston’s women with essential supplies. As Ms. Smajstrla says, “the ladies will help anyone that needs it.”