LOS ANGELES, September 8 – Female boxing icon Mia St. John will be one of the guest speakers along with First Lady Michelle Obama to talk about the need for more mental health programs on Monday Sept. 12 in Washington D.C.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute of Public Policy conference will host a three day event pinpointing mental health issues and an ever-growing population of people that are not covered under current mental health programs.
St. John, a former world champion prizefighter from Los Angeles and perhaps women boxing’s most famous athlete, has been a strong proponent for school-based mental health programs.
“The need for strong support of mental health programs has been a target for Mia St. John for many years,” said Laguna Beach’s Claudia Ollis, a woman’s boxing advocate and promoter assisting St. John. “She’s a pugilist and a fighter for mental health needs especially for the youth.”
St. John, a former lightweight world champion, is currently working toward a rematch with another boxing icon Christy “The Coalminer’s Daughter” Martin. They last fought in 2009.
For more information visit:
http://www.miastjohnfoundation.com and http://www.chci.org/
“El Saber Es Poder”
The El Saber Es Poder Foundation seeks to empower our youth by providing programs to better educate and inform underprivileged children and their families.
Mia Rosales St.John is a first generation born Latina in America. Her mother, Maria Elena Socorro Rosales, who was born and raised in the beautiful state of Zacatecas, Mexico, is on the board of directors. Maria raised her three children in America and always stressed the importance of education. Maria’s favorite saying has always been “knowledge is power.” All three of her children hold college degrees.
St.John says “I was put in this position of fame to enable me to help further the position of my people and to be an inspiration and a role model to Latinos everywhere. I want them to know that with education, unity, and believing in ourselves we can overcome any obstacle placed in front of us.”
In November of 2008, El Saber Es Poder and Micron donated 30 computers, electricity and internet to Barrio de La Cantera in Zacatecas, Mexico. Mia was also presented with an award from Governor Amalia Garcia, for her role in sports and humanatarianism. The World Boxing Council also presented her with the 2008 “WBC Goodwill Ambassador” Award.
In March of 2010, El Saber Es Poder along with Lou Pizzaro of the hit TV show “Operation Repo” and producer Randy Martinez, produced a PSA in Spanish to raise awareness of mental illness in our inner city youth. It is our hope that by increasing awareness we can decrease the numbers in our correctional system.
In November of 2010, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano joined Mia and LA Laker Ron Artest for an official mental health and suicide prevention training at Napolitano’s district office in Santa Fe Springs. Artest and St. John have joined Napolitano to promote the Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation she authored which would increase federal funding for mental health therapists in schools.
Mia also speaks in schools and juvenile halls on the importance of education and overcoming hardship. She recently spoke at The Professional Social Workers Association about the importance of mental health in our community. She speaks of her own battles with mental illness, addiction, poverty and overcoming it all, to become a three time international boxing champion.
El Saber Es Poder is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All donations are tax deductible.
