Commemorating Women's History Month 2022
Throughout the month of March, Chandler School has continued to celebrate the diversity within our community as we recognize the contributions, history and achievements of women throughout the world.
On the national level, this year’s Women’s History Month is centered around the theme of “Women Providing Health, Promoting Hope”. According to the National Women’s History Alliance, this theme is “both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.”
Here at Chandler, our celebrations of women’s history have taken on many forms. During library classes this month, Mrs. May highlighted a wide range of women throughout history and today in fun, engaging and informative ways:
- Our Kindergarten and First-grade students spent time learning about figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. As the 1992 Olympic champion and a two-time World champion, Kristi is also the first Asian American woman to win a gold medal in the winter Olympics. In learning about Kristi Yamaguchi’s accomplishments, the students took part in viewing her skating triumphs and had the opportunity to read the book she authored entitled It’s a Big World, Little Pig!
- With Second and Fifth-grade students, Mrs. May introduced the students to architect Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi British woman who has designed some of the world’s most iconic buildings, including the London Aquatics Centre - home of the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Through reading Building Zaha: The Story of Zaha Hadid, the students explored her life and accomplishments and were exposed to many of Zaha’s amazing pieces of architecture. As a young girl, Zaha dreamed of becoming an architect and she set out to pursue her goals no matter what: “She persisted, she followed her dreams, and she succeeded”.
- Our Third - Fifth graders continued their learning with the book, The House that Jane Built about Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The students learned how Jane’s calling to help others propelled her to create Hull House, where thousands received the care and resources they needed. Jane Addam’s work with the suffragist movement, NAACP and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom showcases her desire to impact the world for the better.
As we come to the conclusion of Women’s History Month, the students are also excited to learn more about Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and music icon Aretha Franklin. What an exciting way to close up this inspiring time of learning!
