The Malden Teen Enrichment Center (MTEC) has always been a safe space for students in Malden. Whether you choose to hang out with friends, study, or want to relax after a long day of school, their doors are open to all anytime. Co-founder of the MTEC, Cathy McMullin, and program specialist, Marianne Hakkaoui, plan to take it a step further with the addition of “Her-Space.”
“To be honest, it’s been a big dream of mine to have a young women’s group,” explained McMullin. She addressed the need and idea behind creating a safe space for young women in high school, noticing that a demographic of girls are “shy” and should have a place of comfort to know “it’s okay to talk.”
Her-Space consists primarily of Malden High students and a few YWCA members. Junior Esmeralda Malta Beaumont shared that she attends Her-Space as it is a haven for her and allows her “to talk to other people” without fear.
“We did vision boards and had to say one thing about what the group helped us with each day— mine was being able to open up with them about my goals for this year,” added Beaumont.
Her-Space meetings are open to any young woman looking for a place of comfort and a network of others to converse with. Hakkaoui explained the quality of the meetings and the topics discussed are mostly centered around, “navigating high school life, how to be a young woman in today’s society, relationships, women’s history and literature, and anything that touches on women’s experience.”
The topics and activities switch every meeting, allowing diverse perspectives to be shared consistently. Senior Feyza Kaya, who is also a YWCA member, commented on her experience with Her-Space and Hakkaoui. “As a member of Her-Space, what I take away is that women need each other and will always be there for each other and it’s important for us to get together and love each other.”
Her-Space meetings happen every other Tuesday at 3:30 PM. McMullin voiced her desire to expand, hoping to open other safe spaces like Her-Space beyond Malden for young women. “Women don’t support women enough, and we need to. We need to stand beside each other and help each other as much as we can,” concluded McMullin.
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