Women Rising: A Continuous Celebration of All Types of Bold Women Breaking Barriers

“Sisterhood could never have been possible across the boundaries of race and class if individual women had not been willing to divest of their power to dominate and exploit subordinated groups of women.”
(Hooks, p.15)

Women Rising.

How would you define the soul of a woman? For me, two words come to mind: quiet strength. We rise up by standing on the shoulders of the bold, brilliant, and brave women who came before us. For some, it may be a relative, namely a grandmother, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, or daughter. For others, it may be a teacher, mentor, or leader. It may also be an overcomer, trailblazer, activist, pioneer, change agent, or barrier breaker whom you’ve never met. Could it be women who have amplified their own voices to offer advice to those following in their footsteps? Indeed.

I am thankful for the powerful voices of women sharing their stories of challenge and triumph. I am indebted to all of the women rising, from my own mother, my late grandmothers, my ancestors, and others who have demonstrated courage, love, and heroism to touch the lives of so many. Words are not enough to express my gratitude to the women and girls who paved the way for those daring to be themselves. Women of all types, I recognize, celebrate, and honor YOU day-to-day!

The importance of celebrating women in your classroom, school, and district.

Women’s History Month was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 to recognize the important contributions that women have made throughout our rich history. It is a time for us all to reflect on how far we have come as a nation, but also how far we still have to go. As we celebrate these ground-breaking women, it is important to also focus on the future generations and ensure that they are exposed to role models who push them to reach beyond their own expectations.

Women have been making strides since before recorded history, yet many people still believe that girls are less capable than boys when it comes to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. These beliefs about girls’ capabilities may stem from stereotypes about gender roles or perceived differences between boys’ and girls’ academic abilities. Fortunately, research suggests that these stereotypes may be changing due to programs like those that celebrate women’s history.

What you need to know about women’s rights and education.

If you’re like me, you’ve always been a fan of celebrating women and their accomplishments. I love the idea of Women’s History Month, but I also think it’s important to celebrate women every day, not just once a year.

Why? Because there are so many barriers to success for women in our society. They face sexism in the workplace, sexual harassment, and other forms of discrimination, such as racial, gender, and/or status as a parent. They also face barriers at home because of their gender.

I believe that if we want our daughters to succeed in life, it’s up to us as parents and teachers to make sure they know they can do anything they set their minds to, no matter what other people think or say about them.

Explore these additional issues that women face:

Books to support your learning:

For young adult & adult learners

Evidence Based Inclusion: It’s Time to Focus on the Right Needle, by Dr. Lauran Star
Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable: Reconstructing Inclusion, by Amri B. Johnson
Beyond Diversity, by Rohit Bhargava and Jennifer Brown
The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, by Minda Harts
How Women Rise, by Marshall Goldsmith and Sally Helgesen

For adolescent learners

Herstory: 50 Women and Girls Who Shook Up the World, by Katherine Halligan
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, by Vashti Harrison
I Like Myself, by Karen Beaumont
I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick
El Deafo, by Cece Bell
Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly
Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World, by Susan Hood

How you can make a difference in your community.

How are you elevating yourself in the collective action to demand and then champion equity? What are you doing to explicitly invigorate gender equity into your DNA? In what ways do you hold power? Through what agency are you becoming a better advocate for women? How are you vigorously redistributing your power to those women who are more marginalized than you?

Explore these resources for community impact:

Organizations supporting the rights of women:

Celebrate the women who do amazing things.

To all of the women facing obstacles on their journey to success, whatever that may look like for them, meditate on their power, strength, and personal definition of what it means to be a woman. Find hope by focusing on the possibilities. Employ healing strategies to combat the damage done by generations of oppression. Stand firm in your quest to break down barriers for the next generation of women and girls rising. Reflect on what inspires you to create a life that is rich, meaningful, and filled with purpose. Believe in the power of women. Be bold. Be confident. Recognize the power of your collaboration and contribution.

Every woman has a story to tell. Learn the stories of the women you hold closest to your heart, as well as, the ones you work, play, live, and learn alongside. Spend a day in the company of women who possess diverse cultures, backgrounds, experiences, career paths, and areas of expertise that differ from your own. Be intentional in creating more inclusive and equitable spaces for them. Ultimately, be creative in seeking out opportunities to empower all women and girls. Above all, shine bright! I’m rooting for you.

“For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
Amanda Gorman (2021)

Need additional supports and services to help you on your journey to a continuous celebration of all types of women? Connect with me, Sheree Joseph-Bos.

References:

Hooks, Bell. Feminism Is for Everybody : Passionate Politics. London, Pluto Press, 2000.

#Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #Belonging #CulturallyResponsiveClassroom #WomensHistory #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd

This blog post was written by Sheree Joseph-Bos, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Consultant for Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Learning Coordinator for Kent ISD.