MAYDAY launches to empower local girls

One Poplar Bluff mother’s concerns and prayers about helping young girls in need guided her and others in her community to create an event called MAYDAY.

The first MAYDAY — Mentors Actively Yielding Direction Assisting Youth — event is Saturday, May 25, at Wheatley School and registration is already full.

Erin Ceesay of Poplar Bluff is a quality programs specialist for the Missouri Department of Mental Health. MAYDAY was birthed after an incident occurred locally, she explained.

“When I read the incident report my heart ached tremendously when I read young girls were present at an event that led to two males being murdered and no one in the house at the time before or during the murders reached out for help,” she said.

Ceesay recalls after reading the probable cause statement of the incident, she “went to bed that night and said, ‘God, what can I do to really help young girls in my community, because as a parent I must do more so my children and other children I am around will prayerfully know how to navigate through tough and trying times.’”

That same night, Ceesay said, she awoke “in the wee hours of the morning to the word MAYDAY, meaning ‘I need help.’ I immediately jumped up from my bed and said ‘God, I receive the call.’ I began to pray and ask God to help me plan this mentorship program so young girls in our community will see there are others besides their family that truly care about their futures.”

Ceesay began to reach out to women who have inspired her “throughout our community and asked them if they were willing to join me in starting a day of mentorship for young girls. I know everyone has busy schedules and some are single mothers, so although it would be great to do more mentorship work throughout the year, I said ‘God if we can begin with one day you will guide us the rest of the way.’”

According to Ceesay, the current MAYDAY Mentor/Advisor Committee “consists of 12 witty, ambitious, fierce, powerful and creative women that have been a true blessing in disguise.”

Ceesay is the chairperson and advisor Kathern Harris are working with mentors Keona Ferguson, Lotoya Halliburton, Sapphira Halliburton, Alberta Henry, Shelby Jefferson, Monica McCain, Lamesha McGee, Lori Nelson, Jessie Polk, and Christina Williams, who is also the secretary.

A dozen girls ranging in ages 9 – 18 years old are registered and this year’s conference is full. This year’s theme is “Healthy. Bold. Beautiful.” Topics will be presented in three sessions by the mentors.

“We have a day planned of learning, empowerment and most of all, fun,” Ceesay said.

MAYDAY’s mission is to empower, inspire and motivate girls by mentoring and assisting them with life skills to overcome inequality and living successful lives, according to Ceesay.

“Our vision is to see girls in our community thrive to become upstanding members of our society, and in turn be an example of leadership to other young ladies in our community,” she said.

Registration for this event is closed but anyone who wants learn more about MAYDAY or to register for MAYDAY 2025 when registration reopens can contact maydaypoplarbluff@gmail.com.