Modern-day Feminists Celebrate Women’s History Month

Senior Sarah Pratt fools around with Feminism Club advisor Joanne Reynolds during a meeting.

Photo by Amanda Gross

Senior Sarah Pratt fools around with Feminism Club advisor Joanne Reynolds during a meeting.

Many people are unaware of the fact that since 1955, March has been designated as National Women’s History Month, which celebrates the accomplishments of women in the past, as well as women today.

According to womenshistory.gov, during March, important associations such as the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum come together to pay tribute to important women in our society from today and history.

One organization at WJ that celebrates both the historical and recent accomplishments of women every week is the Feminism Club.

The Feminism Club has made it their goal to fight for equal rights of all people, especially women.

Senior and club president Sarah Pratt founded the club during her junior year because she felt that she was not learning enough about feminism on her own.

Vice president and senior Sydney Kates said the Feminism Club is a gathering place where both girls and boys are welcome to come and share their thoughts on feminism in the world. 

“At meetings, [members] do presentations on different [feminist topics], like women in the arts and women in Iran,” said Kates. 

Pratt said that feminism is difficult to define because it is constantly changing.

“Feminism is different to different people depending on their experience.  All women deserve to be treated equally.  Women are people and women have a history,” she said.

Pratt did not consider herself a feminist before the age of 14, when she realized how much time she spent talking badly about other girls, and realized she felt that our culture is built on shaming women. 

Pratt and Kates both realize that feminism often comes with negative connotations.

“Feminism is viewed negatively and harshly, which just shows how much we need it.  In the future when people look back on history, they’ll realize [the importance of feminism],” said Kates.

Unfortunately, the annoyance that some harbor towards feminism may apply not only to adults, but also to students.

“In [teacher Christopher] Murray’s [Comparative Religion] class, he brought up feminism and people boo-ed,” said Pratt.

In his classes, Murray talks about different religions, their traditions and the roles that men and women can play within them. 

“I don’t remember [the incident] off the top of my head.  I think like many good calls for equality, the approach often scares many and those who fight for equality, the approach often scares many and those who fight for equality often upset the norm,” said Murray.

Both Pratt and Kates agree that celebrating National Women’s History Month is important because women are often ignored in history.

Pratt feels that although there are many inspiring women today, such as Malala Yousafzai and Arundhati Ray, in addition to great women in history, like Eleanor Roosevelt, students aren’t often informed about them in school.

Kates agrees that people need to learn more about what women have done in history. 

“[We need to] fill in blanks that people don’t realize are there.  Our presidents have all been men, but there are so many women pushing things along,” said Kates.

Pratt believes that although people have a lot to learn about feminism, it will continue to grow, and events like Women’s History Month will help to shine a light on the issues.

“Feminism is evolving.  It’s completely different today than it was 50 years ago, and that’s a good thing,” said Pratt.

The Feminism Club meets Thursdays at lunch in room G22.

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