Let’s start where we should always start, with joy and gratitude. I wish you an incredibly special holiday season and a wrap-up to the calendar year. I wish you great joy, love and wellness! 

As we head into the holidays and into a new year, it’s hard to unpack this year. It’s been full of emotions, expectations, and political strife. Some of us had great expectations that we would be celebrating the swearing in of our nation’s first woman president, changing the course of history. Unfortunately, the data shows that segments of our population are still not ready for this. Instead of going down that rabbit hole, I will leave that conversation for a future issue because there is some serious gender-unpacking needed.

Our democracy worked. People voted and politicians running for office to represent our voices were elected. Now the hard work begins of ensuring representative governance and government. Fundamental to this work, is not losing momentum nor boldness in our equity, civil rights and justice work. We are sixty years post the 1964 Civil Rights Act of this nation, a landmark law that was hard fought, which needs to remain a fundamental assumption of our democracy today and tomorrow. 

Public education is a system that has been key to democracy. From the teaching of civics, to the right of every child to receive an education, to public schools serving as critical hubs for services in communities across our nation, this is a system that has served as the backbone to our nation. The hope that we hang on to is that we will be able to come to a point in our nation’s history where our co-constructed school design, teacher workforce and leaders are truly reflective of the students in seats. We have a lot of work to do here, and must boldly remain at this table.

I invite you to listen to this issue’s interview with Dr. Talisa Dixon, two-time superintendent in Cleveland Heights School District located in University Heights City, Ohio, and in Columbus City Schools in Ohio, an urban school district of over 46,000 students. She brings enlightening perspective from her current work with the Girls Policy Network, a program that prepares high school girls of color for engagement in policy work in areas that matter greatly to them. You will be inspired by what she has learned about their passion and focus on sustainability, women’s health rights, and elimination of food deserts. As Talisa and I both agree, they are so much more savvy about these policy issues than we were at that age! They are hope, joy and love!

It is programs like this with our youth that bring us great hope in the good work that lies ahead that help dissipate our adult fears around speaking up and speaking out for equity and justice. 

I also invite you to register for a women leadership empowerment conference in Phoenix, Arizona this January 23-25, 2025. This conference will focus on our learning and growth in understanding the opportunities we have with AI and technology, creating a welcoming space for women to share and learn from each other. You don’t want to miss this networking event!

As we go into the holiday season, the Voice4Equity team and our broad network of amazing women leaders and allies, encourage you to take care of yourself, bring renewed focus on your wellness, and center joy in all that you do! 

With gratitude to have you in my life,

Christina

DECEMBER 2024 | DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO

Dr. Talisa Dixon is a long time educator who served in two superintendent seats in Cleveland Heights School District located in University Heights City, Ohio, and in the Columbus City Schools in Ohio, an urban school district of over 46,000 students. She served as a social studies teacher in Akron, Ohio before taking on Assistant Principal and Principal roles before rising to executive leadership. Dr. Dixon is a distinguished educational leader in her state of Ohio and nationally. She has recently joined the national Girls Policy Network (GPN) as a learning facilitator, working with high school girls of color around policy knowledge, empowerment and voice. 

Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Dixon below.

The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Dr. Kishimoto 

Hello, everyone. Happy holidays. I can’t believe it’s the end of the year. It is December 2024. Welcome to The Stories We Must Tell. I have with us yet another amazing leader, a national leader, sitting in Ohio. We are excited to have Dr. Talisa Dixon with us today. Welcome to Talisa. 

Dr. Dixon

Thank you. I’m so glad to be here.

Dr. Kishimoto

It’s so much fun having some time to talk together. You and I were introduced not too long ago by a mutual friend, and we’ve just hit it off. I just love when this happens. This is the power of networking, isn’t it?

Dr. Dixon

I know it’s been so awesome getting to know you, working with you and to be one of the voices of equity. Oh my gosh, it’s awesome. Awesome.

Dr. Kishimoto

There are just so many incredible leaders throughout the nation. We focus on women leaders in particular, but we know that our many allies are doing incredible work. And so, we celebrate all of our superintendents, former superintendents, and executive leaders in education.

I want to talk a little bit about your work as a superintendent in Columbus City Schools and in Cleveland Heights and would love to just have you introduce yourself to the audience. What was that like? I know you retired. How does that retired title feel right now? I know I don’t like anyone using that title on me.

Don’t miss out on the incredible chance to learn from inspiring women at the Tech, Power and Equity conference in Phoenix, Arizona on January 23-25, 2025. This summit is a unique opportunity for school leaders and educators to delve into the world of AI and technology, led by women who are experts in the field. This event is designed to provide valuable insights and skills to enhance learning and innovation in your school community. Register now to join industry and educational leaders in thought-provoking discussions and hands-on workshops.

Secure your spot today and be part of this transformative learning experience!

View the Event Website to Register

We are thrilled to invite women education leaders to apply for Women Superintendents’ Policy Leadership Academy—the only professional learning program specifically designed to empower women who are leading the charge for equity and inclusion in public education. This unique opportunity will help you develop deeper policy knowledge, enhance your leadership voice, and connect with other trailblazing women who are shaping the future of education. Together, we will build the skills and strategies necessary to advocate for meaningful change and drive equity in our schools and communities. Join us in this transformative journey to amplify your impact and leadership!

Are you a district looking to deepen the voices of students in district policies? Voice4Equity offers a unique and empowering leadership development program for high school girls focused on policy voice and leadership. Designed for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have had at least one year of public high school experience, this program aims to engage students in exploring equity policy issues that matter most to them. 

The mission of the Girls Policy Network program is to engage more high school girls, particularly girls of color, in policy discussions that impact their school, their community, and their future. This program is for students who are committed to their personal leadership development and who want to develop their civic voice. Participants will learn how to turn their desire for change into a potential equity policy solution that improves their school community. Additionally, guest speakers from business and industry are part of the program delivery team so that our young ladies meet executive level women leading today!

There are four questions that are explored in this interactive program:

1. What is an equity policy, and can I, as a student, influence policy?

2. How do I develop my policy voice and ensure that I am heard?

3. Who are the greatest influencers in my community; where did they get their power?

4. How can we, as students, organize for collective impact?

The program culminates with a closing activity where the students prepare and present a policy issue of their choosing that school/district leadership are invited to.

Connect with Us!

If you are interested in providing this leadership development program for your high school students, please register your district to hold spaces for your students – please complete the form below to schedule a discussion and bring the GPN to your district.  

Register Here

We are excited to invite women superintendents and leaders in education to submit a proposal to present at the 2025 When Women Lead Conference in Charleston, SC! This is a unique opportunity to share your expertise, insights, and innovative leadership strategies with an inspiring community of women who are transforming the education landscape. Whether you have a story to tell, a successful initiative to showcase, or research that can inspire, we want to hear from you! Join us in creating a powerful space for learning, connection, and empowerment. Submit your proposal today and help us shape the future of women in leadership!