State Rep. Donna Oberlander “ROXed” out at Clarion-Limestone Elementary School this week.
“ROX” stands for Ruling Our Experiences, a research-based empowerment program for upper elementary, middle school and high school girls.
“We work with the girls on different things such as relationships with their friends or with a significant other and careers you usually don’t find girls involved in often,” said Erin Hockenberry, the school counselor.
“Donna is successful in what she does and that is beneficial for our students to see,” said C-L teacher Stephanie Kalinowski. “She has attained a high position and she is local. They can learn from her what it took to become successful. We hope it inspires the girls to understand they can do anything they want to do.”
Oberlander told the girls about her career, including her first venture into politics with the Young Republicans at Clarion University, where she majored in political science.
She married her high school sweetheart who was in the Marine Corps. The couple lived in Washington, D.C., where Oberlander worked for a government contractor.
It was after she returned to Clarion that she became involved in politics. She went to work for former state Rep. Fred McIlhattan’s campaign.
“That was so much fun,” she said. “It was exciting but it was hard work and we won.”
She later became a Clarion County commissioner.
“I loved that job. I learned so much about the way government works,” she said of her time as a commissioner. “I was hungry for information.”
When McIlhattan retired, Oberlander was urged to run for his state House seat in the 63rd District. She won a close race by 84 votes.
“I believe my career chose me,” she said.
Oberlander told the girls at C-L her inspiration is simple.
Oberlander said she grew up with two brothers and she was never treated like a girl. ‘I could fight with the best of them,” she said.
“My biggest challenge is time,” said Oberlander. “In college I had a boyfriend and worked two jobs. I didn’t have time to have a good time.”
“Embrace who you are,” she said. “Be who you are.”
“We teach them about empowerment of their bodies, self defense,” said Hockenberry. “We talk to them about body image, social media, how women are interpreted in the media and how that affects how women feel about themselves.”
This is the first year the school’s sixth graders have been involved with the ROX program.
“Feeling good about yourself is one of the three components. Self defense and careers are the other two,” said Kalinowski. “It is definitely beneficial for the girls.”