The 9th Annual Women’s History Assembly, March 25, 2026 (Photo – Jennifer Hall Lee)
The 9th Annual Women’s History Assembly in the Pasadena Unified School District was a great success.
By Jennifer Hall Lee
This year’s keynote speakers were California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who each delivered riveting prerecorded personal addresses. The live keynote was presented by Claire Perry from the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, who delivered an inspiring speech for young athletes.
This year, student work across all genders centered on the theme “The Power of Teamwork.” Welcoming remarks were delivered by PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, who noted that “our students have always been so inspiring,” and added, “We have pulled together as a team and community following COVID, the Eaton Fire, and budget challenges. We are still a PUSD family, and we are still a team.”
Students chose to either write an essay or create an original work of art. Selected students read excerpts from their essays on stage, and their artwork was displayed.
Highlights of the artwork included a stunning dress created by students in Liane Shih’s art class at Thurgood Marshall Secondary School, an homage to and interpretation of the 1973 feminist landmark Womanhouse. Additional pieces included portraits of athlete Brandi Chastain and Bernice Sandler, who helped set Title IX in motion after being told she was “too strong for a woman” when applying for a position at the University of Maryland. Essay topics explored themes such as disability pride, girls supporting girls, the Women’s March, female scientists at NASA, and personal reflections on the women in students’ families who have been instrumental to their success and well-being.
Local elected officials who spoke on stage included City Councilmember Rick Cole and PUSD Board Trustees Michelle Richardson Bailey and Patrice Marshall McKenzie.
The PUSD Women’s History Month Assembly began at Eliot Arts Magnet in 2018 under the leadership of Principal Lori Touloumian and Board Trustee Jennifer Hall Lee. It is now hosted at Thurgood Marshall Secondary School with the support of the Women’s History Collaborative Team, including Dr. Mary Stevens, Liane Shih, and Luis Rendon. The event has grown into a districtwide celebration recognized throughout Southern California.
Teachers across PUSD play a key role in integrating women’s history into their classrooms, connecting historical movements to each year’s theme. Participation from elected officials regularly includes representatives from the offices of Congressmember Judy Chu, State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, and Assemblymember John Harabedian.
This year’s assembly was sponsored by PUSD, the Association of Pasadena School Administrators (APSA), Marshall’s Annual Fund, and the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF).
The 9th Annual Women’s History Assembly (Photo – Jennifer Hall Lee)
From the 9th Annual Women’s History Assembly at Thurgood Marshall (Photo – Jennifer Hall Lee)
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