Sidney Moore/Contributing Writer
sidburgundy@gmail.com

FRANKLIN—Women, young and old alike, came out in droves to show support for WIT Incorporated’s Self Esteem Walk in Franklin.

The walkers registered in the gymnasium at J.P. King Middle School, where they received either a pink or black t-shirt sporting the logo of the event and a gift bag. Once everybody was accounted for, the participants walked from the school and ended the march at the Paul D. Camp Workforce Center on College Drive where the Stepping Out for Self Esteem Empowerment Rally was being held.

The rally itself consisted of an address by Pastor Jennell Riddick, founder of Walk In iT (WIT) Incorporated and organizer, an original song by Yale Cummings, and a dance and step routine performed by the FBC Combined Dancers and Steppers. After the fashion show and another song by Yale Cummings, well renowned actress and producer Terri Vaughn took to the stage to deliver a powerful message to the young ladies in attendance.

When Pastor Jenelle Riddick founded WIT more than 9 years ago she had a vision of what young women needed in their lives. She was well aware of the areas that needed the most focus, such as developing and maintaining healthy relationships, setting goals and motivating one’s own self, and a serious area; abstinence and dating.

“We’re geared toward the empowerment of girls and women,” she said. “We believe in helping girls develop healthy self-esteem and make them feel good about themselves as well as help them to make good life choices.

“We’re not just here in Franklin. We are in Williamsburg, Richmond, Suffolk, and we’re launching out to Petersburg next year.”

This isn’t the only event that WIT Inc. sponsors. They host a Healthy Relationship Conference, Women’s Empowerment Conference and also the Ladies of Distinction Spring Break Trip. Some of the things they do for the youth are the WIT Girls Conference and the Mother/Daughter Brunch every May. Pastor Janelle Riddick takes this message of empowerment serious and continues to show it with her group’s support as well as using her personal time to connect with and guide the young ladies she encounters. To learn more about her organization, visit their website www.walkinit.com.