St. Agnes Senior Honored at State Capitol

St. Agnes Academy senior Jaila Hampton was recently named a “Women’s History Maker” in celebration of Women’s History Month at the Tennessee State Senate. Jaila was among a powerful group of thirty women from across the state who were honored with a luncheon and a resolution in the state chamber for their historic accomplishments and outstanding contributions to their local communities and the greater Tennessee community.

Jaila was the youngest to be honored, in a group that included notable Tennesseans such as our own Memphis Fire Department Chief Gina Sweat, Memphis Police Department Chief CJ Davis, nuclear chemist and the first African American woman to help discover an element Clarice Phelps, and Gwen McKenzie, former Vice Mayor of Knoxville and current City Council member in the city.

Throughout her high school career, Jaila has been a very active member of the community. Most notably, she is the founder of the Operation R.A.E., a youth-led non-profit organization whose priority lies in creating impactful programs that provide safe spaces for youth to learn about the dangers of gun violence. She created this organization in 2021 after losing her best friend to gun violence.

In addition to founding this nonprofit, Jaila serves as a council member on Mayor Lee Harris’ Shelby County Council on Gun Safety, a Bridge Builders Youth Action Board member, and as an Ambassador of the Memphis Ambassadors Program. She was the student speaker at our recently held Day of Peace. When asked what drives her, Jaila explains, “Every day I wake up, I get to wake up and be a voice for the youth in my city, even the ones who no longer have a voice.”

The experience in Nashville was life-changing for Jaila, particularly as it took place the week of the tragedy at the Covenant School. Jaila shared, “I was meant to be there. I am changing and growing, and it was one of those events I will never forget. I consider this a call to action. I became more passionate about my goals and trying to understand everyone’s perspective.”

Jaila is excited to be attending Texas State University in the fall with plans to major in Criminal Justice. She has applied for the Civic Innovation Academy at Georgetown this summer, a weeklong course for innovative, young changemakers. We cannot wait to see the amazing things Jaila will do in the future-she will no doubt make our world a better place!