The Power of Education—and Role Models
A triple board-certified physician specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine, Aviva Kamath was on the search for a cause to which she could dedicate her time outside of work. Then she attended a PowHERful (then Starfish) Foundation gala, and knew she’d found it. “After that incredibly moving evening,” she says, “I signed up with PowHERful to be a mentor. I always wanted to give back on a grass roots level and share with high school girls the invaluable lessons I’ve learned. These girls are our future!” She adds, “The three students I mentored with PowHERful all graduated from college and now have solid careers—one in hospital administration, another in emergency medicine as a physician’s assistant, and the third as a data services analyst at Infosys.”
As so often happens, one mentor is created in the footsteps of another. Aviva follows the lead of the highly revered Sharon Sheppard of Rockville Centre, NY. A nurse by training, Sharon began as a volunteer at the MLK Community Center and is now Assistant Director. She not only oversees MLK’s many programs, but has established her own cooking academy and manages a food pantry serving 110 families. Aviva marvels, “Sharon is incredible. Despite her rapidly progressing metastatic breast cancer and all she continues to do for the community, she has taken me under her wing and entrusted me to start ‘Sharon’s Squad,’ a weekly meeting to empower high school girls.”
At the recent Rockville Centre Education Foundation Gala, Sharon spoke of waking up every morning to her dream and vision, the work she does at MLK. “It gives me purpose, to live, to carry on…. Whatever legacy I leave, I want you to know I’m at peace and I’ll be happy—for the MLK Center and for my girls. You know,” she says, turning to the girls sitting close by, “I love you all to death, to infinity… You’ll make Rockville Centre proud.
Much like Sharon, Aviva strives to be a beacon of strength and compassion to the girls in the community. From her start supporting PowHERful scholars, Aviva has gone on to mentor many others. She observes, “It’s so important to have visible role models. High school is a difficult and crucial time for girls of all backgrounds, but especially for those in marginalized communities. Figuring out who you are and what’s meaningful to you, all while navigating family dynamics and trying to get into the right college and set yourself up on your life’s path—it’s a daunting task.”
Of significant benefit to the girls of Sharon’s Squad are the partnerships Aviva has established with businesses and universities. Together, they create tailored experiences for each girl based on her particular interests and dream career. Participants include New York Bariatric Group, Lenox Hill Radiology, The Fitting Curve - Rockville Centre, Child Mind Institute NYC, Advanced Physical Therapy, and Columbia University.
“For long term success, it’s not just getting the grades and getting into college, but the guidance and emotional support that make all the difference,” Aviva notes. “I like to team with the girls’ families and enhance their emotional support in any way I can.” Upon reflection, she adds, “Most important, I think, is to help everyone understand that the only way to achieve true success and equity is through education.”
For her dedication, her expertise, and her ongoing contribution to PowHERful as a mentor, we honor Aviva. And, with immense gratitude, we honor Sharon, for her depth of love and enduring support of those in need. With the compassion and wisdom that they both bring to their relationships with girls, as they guide them to further their education and navigate a path to joy and love in community, Sharon Sheppard and Aviva Kamath are the best role models a girl could have.