(L-R) Top: Maxine Waters and Mujeeba Batool. Bottom: Judy Chu, Anthony Portantino, Kathryn Barger (Photo – Graphics Dept.)
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will host the 7th annual Celebration of Women’s History Month on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 6:00 pm at Marshall Fundamental (990 N. Allen Ave., Pasadena).
By News Desk
The celebration is co-sponsored by the Middle Schools Collaborative of the Association of California. The event celebrates American women who have made historic contributions to the expansion of our nation in countless ways.
This year’s theme is “Building Community through Sisterhood and Friendships.” It features student essays and art, along with keynote addresses by Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Mujeeba Batool, an organizer of the Aurat March in Pakistan. Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Anthony Portantino, and L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger will deliver pre-recorded remarks. Pasadena City Council member Felicia Williams and Commissioner Phlunte Riddle will deliver live remarks.
Board of Education member Jennifer Hall Lee, a chief organizer of the annual assembly, said: “This is our seventh year organizing this assembly that focuses on the women’s liberation movement and the future of women’s rights, with a global perspective. It’s an opportunity for students to learn about the importance of civic engagement, the history of women’s rights in the U.S., and the current state of women’s rights around the world.”
Marshall Fundamental Principal Lori Touloumian, annual event organizer, and member of the ACSA collaborative, developed the theme to highlight the importance of women supporting each other. “This year’s theme was chosen because we want to remind our students of the power of friendship and, in Women’s History Month, the importance of sisterhood,” said Ms. Touloumian. “Together with our Marshall faculty colleague, Dr. Mary Stevens, we want to reiterate that Women’s rights are human rights.”
All PUSD secondary students from all PUSD schools are invited to participate. Middle school students are asked to write or create an art piece on what makes women’s friendships so powerful in leadership and in creating support systems for communities. High school students are prompted to explore the roots of sisterhood in the feminist movement and the role of friendships in women’s rights.
Past keynote speakers include Congresswoman Judy Chu, Dolores Huerta, Hillary Clinton, Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, the former Pasadena Public Health Director who led the response to COVID; and local attorney Laura Farber.
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