I love the month of April! In my walks around the neighborhood, trees are budding, flowers are starting to show, and there is a renewed sense of hope in Spring. Oh how much we need this!
The first three months of this calendar year have been a pure and direct shock to our systems as a new administration entered the White House and within days we experienced a highly organized effort to disrupt our social structures and safety nets through a barrage of executive orders, firings, and department closures. It feels like a mockery of the past century of civil rights progress. Overnight, as a nation, our leadership declared us too old, too ethnic, too gay, too trans, too female, too immigrant, too global and too free to think on our own.
Lest we forget the basic tenet of loving our neighbors, it’s time to revisit how we choose to live, love and lead during these times. Ask yourself, what really matters most right now? How am I choosing to behave toward others?
The Voice4Equity community is a network of amazing diverse women leaders dedicated to public education excellence, along with the allies that stand with us. We believe in the power and responsibility of voice and community; we believe in democratic principles; we believe in the humanity of our neighbors; and we believe in our nation’s children and youth. If this is what matters to you, join us and be a part of our community. A nation of united people is a force that will insist on a political structure that works across party lines to solve tough policy matters to lift all of the community, rather than a political structure that usurps power from its people to benefit the rich and powerful.
In this issue, you will hear from Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick from Issaquah School District in Washington, who is balancing the local policy matters affecting her students, while managing the disruptive politics of our times. You will also learn about a policy oriented program for young ladies called the Girls Policy Network (GPN) for high school girls. If you want to advance true student agency, and the future of our democracy, bring this program to your district!
I also invite you to register for the When Women Lead ‘25 policy summit in beautiful Charleston, SC. Never has there been a greater need for a welcoming space to hone our policy voice so be sure to host women leaders from your district to attend – this work is too hard to attempt alone! There is much to be done in education policy, from guaranteeing that every child can read by third grade, to providing equitable access for girls to CTE and STEM programming, leveraging early childhood access to support our youngest learners, and improving professional development for teachers on how to better teach math so that our students can be globally competitive. It is time to solve these issues.
And while you are networking, leading and serving as a policy leader, don’t forget your self care! We can’t lead if we are not ourselves well. I know you will enjoy another great guided meditation provided by our very own Tiana Hill!
Remember, this is a time to reach out to one another. Together we will dispel myths of otherness that lead to hate and fear. In love we will be a powerful cohesive force and continue to advance a vision for a just nation that counters oppression with freedom.
Join us under the Flamboyan tree and bring others with you! You are the promise of a great nation!
Stay Well, Be Bold, Tell Your Story!
Christina
