By Kayla Cheung
Since its inception in 1986, Women’s History Month has been an important time for the United States to recognize women’s achievements in all fields, despite sexist societal odds. Thirty-five year later, more of such sentiments emerge across the globe, amplifying the change to reflect on trailblazing women.
Changes in society materialized on several levels over the past year — and they do not intend on stopping anytime soon. Women across the world have taken their respective fields by storm, emancipating themselves from the chokeholds of a male-dominated workforces, and cementing for themselves a legacy that shall carry on for generations.
For the Jaguar sector, this is no exception. Miami Lakes Educational Center (MLEC) celebrates Women’s History Month by honoring their faculty and staff members. The school, along with its students, have also taken part in Women’s History Month over social media, recognizing influential and important women in their lives and beyond.
Taking into consideration the barriers which keep MLEC from having any in-person events, the school’s social media page, run by Lead Magnet Coordinator Mrs. Katrina Cordova, has created a variety of content for the MLEC Jaguars Instagram account to showcase MLEC’s female faculty, staff members, and student government officers.
Cordova has also used the account to highlight women throughout — such as Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street. Cisneros is an outspoken feminist who openly opposes patriarchal, male-dominated societies that wills women to be passive. Telling the story of a 12-year-old Chicana girl growing up in the Hispanic quarter of Chicago, The House on Mango Street helps women draw advice and inspiration from it.
Outside of school, MLEC’s student body illustrated their respect for both the women in their lives and around the world for their resilience and determination.
“I was brought into this world by women. My mother was delivering me with the help of my aunt and godmother. Women have taught me to love my body and embrace it because sadly men don’t speak about that,” says Adrian Oyola, an MLEC sophomore.
“My mother has taught me how to use my voice, stand up for what I believe in, and make people see you for you. She has taught me to love myself and value myself for who I am and know that I can do anything I set my mind to,” she continued.
Whether she is the cashier who is always at the grocery store, the neighbor next door, a teacher — or even a beloved relative, women have always played a vital role in across the world and in American history. Women’s History Month has met with an influx of support and respect around the world.
With their respective experiences and perspectives on life and its challenges, they persevere and continue to inspire others.
