After asking a variety of female teachers at Glen Rock High School the simple question of, “What does GRHS do to celebrate women’s history month?” A common theme was found among all of the responses. One that specifically stood out to me was that of Ms. Unalp’s, a first year biology teacher at Glen Rock.
“I’ve never worked in a place where Women’s History Month is actually celebrated,” Unalp commented.
And shockingly she was not the only teacher who made this remark. Ms. Della Fortuna, Glen Rock’s K-12 mathematics supervisor who visits every school in the Glen Rock district, made a similar observation.
“To be honest, I’m not aware of many events that take place to celebrate Women’s History Month in Glen Rock (unfortunately!). They may go on, but I just don’t know about them,” Della Fortuna said in a
Each March, the world turns its attention to the extraordinary achievements and contributions of women throughout history. Women’s History Month stands as a testament to the resilience, strength, and inventiveness of women across cultures, eras, and disciplines. But how did this annual celebration come to be? And what can we do to honor influential women at GRHS?
The women’s movement gained momentum, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. Although the declaration of this day was a massive accomplishment for women, in 1987, Congress expanded the week-long recognition to a month, officially designated March as Women’s History Month. This decision was influenced by the growing feminist movement and the increasing acknowledgment of women’s roles in shaping history. Since then, women’s history month has served as a platform to honor the achievements of women in various fields, including politics, science, literature, art and activism.
The significance of Women’s History Month extends beyond just acknowledgement. It serves as a call to action, enticing reflection on the present-day struggles for gender equality and empowerment. Throughout history, countless women have defied stereotypes and changed the way the world views gender, paving a larger path for progress. From icons like Marie Curie and Rosa Parks to modern day female influences such as Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg who are represented on our own Glen Rock doors, Women’s History Month celebrates the courage of those who have challenged injustice.
- Daily Announcements: Regarding statistics, quotes — most awareness announcements
- Bulletin Boards: We would highlight women in history by using their pictures and a small bio
- Book Readings at Elementary Schools: High School students would visit the elementary schools and read stories about famous women or what life is like for women in other countries.
- Documentaries/Movies in Class: There’s a movie called “Hidden Figures” I would show clips of – it is about women in mathematics!
- Organize trips to women owned businesses – lunch or shopping.
- Host a women’s leadership panel inviting staff and moms to participate.
- Share a women’s empowerment playlist
