It’s March, also known as Women’s history month! Women’s history month celebrates the accomplishments of inspiring women from past and current times. The theme selected by the Women’s National History Alliance this year is “Moving together! Women educating and inspiring generations.” It was chosen to honor women who have devoted themselves to being great mentors, educators and leaders.
While commemorating influential women in history is important, it’s also just as necessary to appreciate them in education and leadership positions within our community. Keep reading to learn about some of the powerful young women at Green Hope who are actively making history.
Women in Politics – Feminism is for everybody:
Women in Politics (WIP) is a relatively new Green Hope club that encourages young women with an interest in politics to get involved in what is traditionally a male-dominated field. Anika Babu (’25), the president of WIP, is a firm believer in women’s rights. “To me, feminism is the belief that there should be equal opportunity in all aspects of life, whether that’s social, economic or political opportunity. Our club focuses on political equality, bringing attention to the prevalent gender gap in American politics,” Badu said.
According to Babu, the club’s goal is to encourage members to engage in open discussions and be active members of society–whether that’s being an activist or simply staying informed. This goal is reflected in the passion of the club members. “Many of our members are so outspoken and confident. Honestly, it is so inspiring to see them come in and be so eager to learn every single week.” Members aren’t the only ones taking in information; even as the current president of WIP, Badu continues to learn new information from her peers at each meeting.
In WIP, the commemoration of women’s history extends beyond just March. “We have presentation weeks, current events weeks and debate weeks. Members are welcome to give a short presentation on the topic of their choice, most often about women who have made strides in politics both historically and currently.” Alongside being enlightening and empowering, the club is a safe space for people of all genders and political affiliations. “The longstanding club members are welcoming to new members. It is such a comfortable and relaxed environment, even for those who don’t want to go into politics, so it truly has something for everybody.”
Women in STEM – Making a difference:
Many Green Hope students can recall the bright pink Post-its with motivational messages on the mirrors of the girl’s bathroom. They came from the EmpowerHer Stem club, which does much more than just sticky notes. Nabiha Rahman (’25), the co-president and founder of EmpowerHer Stem and Morehead Cain Scholar, is ardent about expanding possibilities for women in STEM.
“EmpowerHer STEM gives girls the tools and confidence to explore STEM fields without hesitation. We organize hands-on activities and open doors to career opportunities through site visits and guest speaker events,” said Rahman. “Beyond STEM, we spread positivity through initiatives like our breast cancer awareness campaign.” In addition to fostering a setting where motivated young women can learn about science and technology, the club aspires to create a culture of encouragement and support throughout Green Hope.
Rahman created the club after observing the lack of representation of girls in middle school science competitions. “I wanted to create a space where young women could feel supported and encouraged to pursue STEM without hesitation,” she said. Because of her personal experiences, Rahman believes it is vital to educate children on the value of STEM for all genders. “By teaching coding and other STEM topics at local elementary schools, we help younger students see that STEM is for everyone.”
Rahman emphasized the importance of inclusivity and representation. “Representation matters. When girls see women thriving in STEM, they realize that they can too. Women bring fresh ideas that drive innovation, and increasing diversity makes these fields stronger.” EmpowerHer breaks down barriers in STEM while building women up. “We support each other, celebrate wins together, and are always looking for ways to grow as a group. It is an inspiring group to be a part of, and I am proud of everything we have built.”
Future Women in Medicine – Creating Opportunities and Breaking Barriers:
The work ethic of past presidents influenced Damla Ayrilmaz (’25) to take on the role as president of the Future Women in Medicine club. “As the current president of Future Women in Medicine, I was really inspired by the passion of the past board members for the advocacy of women in the medical field.” Ayrilmaz shared that the club embodies feminism by promoting women’s rights and dismantling traditional gender roles and stereotypes. “Groups like Future Women in Medicine go against the social stigma around women being devalued due to being seen as less intelligent or skilled.”
In meetings, members observe educational presentations, often conducted by guest speakers, and engage in hands-on labs. “This club gives opportunities for girls aspiring to work in the medical field. Members are educated on medical practices and careers to limit the divide between genders,” said Ayrilmaz. “We encourage our members to go into internships and volunteer opportunities that are male dominated,” she added. Ayrilmaz described members of the club as ambitious, intelligent and united.
Women’s Shelter Support – Spreading awareness:
Co-president of the Women’s Shelter Support club, Tanisha Chaurasiya (’25) is dedicated to uplifting women in her community. “I was inspired to join because I really liked the initiative and drive of the club, as well as the environment. In the first few meetings I felt immediately welcomed and knew I wanted to be part of a group that was actively supporting women in need.”
The members of the club share Chaurasiya’s dedication, avid to make an impact and to learn. “Our members are passionate about our cause and very involved. In meetings, they are all very supportive and ready to take part in raising awareness and contributing to our initiative.”
In the WSSC, they engage in various activities to aid women facing hardships, such as making care packages, organizing drives to support women’s needs at local shelters and bringing attention to women’s issues through social media. Additionally, the club discusses pressing issues at their meetings. “We encourage conversations regarding gender equality and introduce meetings where members can be educated on different social issues or can directly benefit women in our community,” said Chaurasiya.
The club is built on a foundation of genuine care, fostering a sense of togetherness and belonging among its members. “We want to empower our members to do what they love without gender limitations by creating an environment where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.” Ultimately, the goal of the club is to help those in need and inform members on important struggles many women endure. “We want to create a more inclusive school environment through awareness.”
Despite their wide variety of topics, each one of these clubs is nothing short of inspiring. By uplifting women, defying traditional gender roles, supporting people in need and creating new opportunities, these incredible groups are making a significant, lasting impact on our community, pushing for progress while honoring trailblazing women of the past. These clubs are not only currently making history, but paving the way for the future of women’s rights as well. As we celebrate Women’s history month, these groups serve as a reminder that history is more than just something to remember – it is something that we need to actively shape.
