Women's History Month Begins

 I selected 3 quotes from three young women as the frame for this week's reflection.

 

“I don’t study to know more, but to ignore less” ...Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (Recognized as a poet, teacher and philosopher by age 17)

 

As we begin our second year as educational leaders in a world where COVID-19 is the first lens we must look through when making decisions in our homes and classrooms, this quote from Juana Ines de la Cruz seems particularly impactful.  She wrote her first poem at the age of 8 and was teaching Latin by the time she was 13. She studied science, composed music, and was an early advocate for education rights for women. Her idea that we study so we can ignore less is relevant now.  I think about how intentional we have had to be when choosing the skills and knowledge we want to be sure students securely hold as they leave our classrooms later this spring. I think about the data we are intentionaly reviewing to find learning gaps and celebrate growth or to track COVID-19 because we can’t afford to ignore any of this.

 

“If we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness.” … Malala Yousafzi (Nobel Peace Prize Age 17)

 

Honor Women’s History Month by amplifying the stories of women who have empowered themselves with the weapon of knowledge and shielded themselves with unity.  Malala advocates tirelessly for global education rights for women. Within the past month we have watched as women played key leadership roles on the diverse Perseverance Rover NASA team. The Biden administration has nominated women to cabinet level positions, joining Vice President Kamala Harris. Two women led the COVID-19 vaccine research,    

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett with Moderna and Dr. Kathrin Jensen with the Pfizer research team. And those are just the stories in the news. It is important to search out local stories of women who are taking action within our own schools and communities and support their work.  

 

 "It is still not too late to act. It will take a far-reaching vision, it will take courage, it will take fierce, fierce determination to act now, to lay the foundations where we may not know all the details about how to shape the ceiling. In other words, it will take cathedral thinking.” ...Greta Thunberg (Time Person of the Year Age 16)

 

Greta Thunberg has spoken to world leaders and advocates for immediate action to address the Climate Crisis. This concept of cathedral thinking, planning now to lay a foundation for a ceiling that we are just beginning to imagine is so important right now.  We have had our heads down, driving ahead through this year focused on what we can do in the next hour or day or week. It is exhausting, it can be discouraging, especially if we get so hyper-focused on what is immediately in front of us that we lose all sight of what can be in the world around us.  It will take courage over the next year to continue to re-imagine education in a world emerging from a pandemic. It will take courage to continue to advocate for equity and justice. It will take courage to address the climate crisis. It will take fierce determination to make sure all voices are valued and welcomed at the table, regardless of race, age, LGTBQ+, gender or religion.  

 

What To Put In Your Backpack For Your Journey This Week

• YWCA 21 Day Challenge For Equity 

• Women’s History Month Resources

• Reading Rockets Women’s History Month Resources

• Smithsonian Women’s History Initiative 

 

Upcoming Opportunities:

• Check out Eric Curt’s latest interactive games in Google https://www.controlaltachieve.com/2021/02/game-of-ur.html?m=1 

• "From Hidden Figures to Human Flourishing: Humanity, Community, and Justice in Mathematics" sponsored by the Ohio Mathematics and Science Coalition. This virtual webinar will be held via Zoom on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 pm EST.  The focus of the webinar is to engage all audiences and stakeholders in understanding the importance of mathematics as well as ways to engage and support every child in mathematics in school and at home.  Both educators and parents/grandparents/guardians/caregivers are encouraged to participate.  Registration is required using the link provided on the attached flyer or by going here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_boIWti28RYagRVwI6FxRtQ 

National Museum of Women’s History Events and Resources Calendar for March.