The women of NYSUT have built a safe space to gather and create, plan and advocate for women's equity and equality through the NYSUT Women's Committee, which was established for the first time in NYSUT's 50 year history at the 2017 NYSUT Representative Assembly.
As grown women, we know what this circle of support has meant to us.
The question, how do we replicate this model for our students both in P-12 and in higher education?
For the answer we needed to look no further than our own NYSUT women leaders who had already started this work in communities, locals, and districts across New York state. Young girls ages six to early adulthood shared their experiences with us. What we found was how profoundly these clubs have impacted these girls. Their words were the inspiration to spread this message in every space and place that needs to hear it.
Women Empowerment Clubs should be everywhere, particularly for girls of color!
Why?
Just listen to what students had to say about these clubs:
- It's incredibly important for women to know they have a safe space to be accepted just as they are.
- This club offers a space where competition and comparison among women doesn't exist and doesn't matter.
- Knowing that other girls are going through the same things you are is really comforting.
- We've created a community that is constantly adapting and changing to meet our needs.
- This group has fueled a desire to be curious about things, engage in dialogue with an open mind, and seek out education on topics of interest.
- Being surrounded by my fellow students in this way made me confident and comfortable in my own skin.
The young women who participated in these clubs continually used the word empowered to describe how they felt about the work they accomplished. They all referenced the clubs as a starting point for their leadership development.
These women referenced the roles they played in their club like secretary, vice president, or president. They saw these roles as essential to their personal growth.
Another common thread was wanting to pay it forward to other girls and women. Even at their young ages they saw the value in giving back. These clubs helped these women see themselves as service leaders in their communities. What more could we ask of the students we teach?
We want our students to see themselves as having a voice in our communities and society. These clubs did that for these girls.
Growing up, my school and community certainly did not offer anything like this, and I would have benefited from it so much. I was painfully shy, extremely introverted, and certainly never saw myself as a leader. These young people already have a strong idea of who they are as women and who they want to be as they continue to evolve. What. A. Gift!
Sure, these clubs benefit the students who make up the fabric of the club, but it should be said that ALL students, not just girls, are welcome in these clubs and do attend and participate in the meetings, and these clubs get things done!
Clubs like these change the school climate for the better. Members...
- ensure the bathrooms are stocked with free period products.
- lobby for gender neutral bathrooms, so all students feel safe and comfortable.
- speak up so dress codes are equitably enforced.
- model the language students should use toward one another to create a respectful environment.
- rally for causes they care about in their communities by attending marches or by collecting items or money to assist others in need.
The State Education Department has created a workgroup entitled The Girls of Color Interagency Workgroup with the goal of creating equitable learning spaces and addressing inequality in our educational system. Seems to me that Women Empowerment Clubs might be one small way to address this goal. A link to their work can be found here:
Girls of Color Interagency Workgroup
The point is this.
Achieving equity and equality for everyone and building a world where we all belong, are seen, and respected will take many forms.
A club like this in your community, school, or on your campus can be anything you want it to be and can start with students as young as elementary school and continue into college. There are no rules except to say if you build it, they will come.
The women of NYSUT have designed a tool to help you get started with your club. It is found here at
NYSUT Women. We even have a grant to help you get your club started. Learn more about our grant:
Mosaics of Sisterhood Grant
It took nearly 50 years for NYSUT to create a standing committee for women to find their voices, share their experiences, and support and empower one another. Let's not make our girls, particularly our girls of color, wait 50 years to have this same deep connection. Start a club in your community, school, or campus today and watch these circles of support grow!
