ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604260045
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ELLIOTT SMITH STAFF WRITER
THE MS. FOUNDATION started the program, now in its fourth year, to provide girls with a chance to learn the value of education and work.
Customers entering the Texas Steak House and Saloon for lunch Thursday probably were a bit surprised when they were greeted by the restaurant's newest waitress - 8-year-old Jerrica Wilhelm.
Decked out in full restaurant uniform, complete with a notebook for taking orders and an apron with pockets for holding tips, she worked tables under the watchful eye of her proud mother, Brenda.
The reason Jerrica was working instead of at school was Take Our Daughters To Work Day, a national event organized by the Ms. Foundation for Women.
The program, in its fourth year, was started to combat what the Ms. Foundation said are feelings of low self-esteem among some adolescent girls by providing an opportunity to learn the value of education and work.
The foundation is presenting $20,000 educational scholarships to three girls chosen at random this year; their schools will receive $1,500 toward their girls athletic program.
In Roanoke, Hollins College observed the day with programs in all of its departments.
Brenda Wilhelm decided to show her daughter what it took to be a waitress, because she said that she realizes her daughter may have to work to put herself through college. "I want her to appreciate what I do, because it is hard," she said. "I'm doing it for her. It's a wonderful day, and every mom should do it."
On Thursday, mom and daughter were a team trying to get through a hectic day of serving diners.
"This is a chance to show your kids what happens and get their respect," Wilhelm said. "I work hard, and then I have to go home and cook and clean; and today Jerrica will work hard and then have to go home and do her homework, so she'll appreciate what I do."
"I want to do what my mom does," Jerrica said. "I take after my mom."
Jerrica, a third-grader at Colonial Elementary School in Blue Ridge, was the talk of the restaurant as she carried food to tables and wrote down orders.
"She's adorable," said Lee Anne Johnson, a hostess. "She's very professional, and she'll probably get big tips."
Take Our Daughters To Work Day's critics charge that it is sexist, and disruptive to schools and the workplaces where it's implemented. In response, Wilhelm said there should be a similar day for boys and criticized any company that wouldn't allow mothers to bring their children to work.
"It's wrong that companies won't do it," she said. "Do they think that mothers are going to slack off? It's one day, and it's good for the kids. I have to give credit to my boss, because not many people would do this."
Mark Henderson, general manager at the restaurant near Valley View Mall, said the idea of an 8-year-old as part of his staff for a day was "no problem."
"I think it's great that Brenda cares as much about her daughter that she would not only show her the fun side of life, but the working side of it," he said. "It's good for kids to understand work."
Wilhelm said that bringing children to work is the start of eliminating societal problems.
"Whoever came up with this idea is a good person," she said. "We have to do better for our kids."
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. WAYNE DEEL/Staff. Jerrica Wilhelm helps her mother,by CNBBrenda, at Texas Steak House and Saloon. 2. DON PETERSEN/Staff.
Krissi Scholetzky packs stemware with her mother, Shelly,
housekeeper for Margaret O'Brien. O'Brien, president of Hollins
College, is leaving at the end of the school year to take the
presidency of St. Mary's College of Maryland, a public, coed
college. color.