The year I graduated from high school, Congress declared the month of March, Women’s History Month, and Ronald Reagan issued a highly supportive Presidential Proclamation. It was 1987.  There were many women’s groups behind that congressional and presidential action, with decades of work that started long before the suffrage movement. Fast forward forty years, and with one destructive stroke of the pen, President Trump issued an anti-DEI executive order on January 22, 2025 that has acted as a wet rag on celebrations from Black History Month to Women’s History Month, to LGBTQ Pride, to anything that breeds culture, particularly within federal agencies. 

Women’s History Month is not an executive order.  It is a woven fabric of stories about the lives of half of our country. It is the stories of our great great grand mothers and the way their actions shaped our children’s lives today.  

Perhaps this is a good time to take a step back to recognize that we are not a nation whose history is determined by one person. We are a people with many stories, and our stories will be told, because those stories are ours. They belong to us. Our stories are powerful.

I still love when March rolls around and I learn about stories of women I have not yet heard of, women who came before me. This year I picked up The Cure for Women by Lydia Reeder, a story about the women who came together to force medical schools in the United States to admit women, long after European medical schools were graduating women. They changed families and communities, reducing death rates particularly among women, children and the poor.

The power of women’s stories come from the spaces of sisterhood from which those stories emanate. That is why I am excited to introduce you to an outstanding leader, Superintendent Gisselle Herrera, from the Tolleson Elementary School District in Arizona. Superintendent Herrera began her first Superintendency in January, 2025 – listen in as she talks about the start of her administration. 

Want to meet other women superintendents? Join us for our next powerful convening of When Women Lead that will be held in historic and beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. There is no more critical time to be part of a policy-centered network of leaders that uplift and support one another as we discuss impactful student-centered leadership practices that advance all of our nation’s students. This bipartisan space brings leaders together who believe in the power of sisterhood and our collective stories. 

If you are looking to further develop your policy knowledge and voice, and want to build deeper networks with women across the country, I highly encourage you to register for the online Policy Leadership Academy that begins on March 31st – we have a special guest facilitator, Dr. Ben Elliott! Five engaging sessions will provide you with strategies and tools to help you interrogate how you make decisions and how to design a pathway for student-centered policy work. 

Take advantage of these opportunities. Together we will keep the focus on what matters most to our students.  They are looking to us for voice, power and leadership! 

Stay Well, Be Bold, Tell Your Story!

Christina

March 2025 | DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO

With nearly 30 years of experience in education, Superintendent Gisselle Herrera has transitioned from the classroom to administration, a change inspired by her predecessor and the work they accomplished. Her primary goal in this new role is to advocate for excellence and equity in education, ensuring that all students receive the opportunities they deserve to succeed.

Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Superintendent Herrera below.

The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Dr. Kishimoto 

Welcome to The Stories We Must Tell. I’m Dr. Christina Kishimoto, and today I’m joined by Superintendent Gisselle Herrera from the Tolleson Elementary School District in Arizona. Welcome!

Superintendent Herrera

Thank you, Dr. Kishimoto. It’s an honor to be here, and I truly appreciate the opportunity.

Dr. Kishimoto 

I’m so excited to sit down with you! I know how busy you are, and there’s so much amazing work happening at Tolleson Elementary. But first, let’s talk about your recent transition into the superintendency. You’ve been with the district for 17 years, so you’re an internal hire. How’s the transition been?

Superintendent Herrera

Thank you! Yes, I’ve been with the Tolleson Elementary School District for 17 years, and it’s been a joy. We’re a medium-sized district with four schools and 2,800 students. I’ve loved every role I’ve had here, and now in my new role as superintendent, it’s been a smooth transition. I had the privilege of working closely with our former superintendent, Dr. Hightower, to develop a transition plan. I was able to shadow her and learn the systems, which made the shift much easier. We spent months collaborating, so when I officially took over in December, I felt well-prepared. I’m grateful for this unique opportunity.

Dr. Kishimoto  

Your transition plan sounds amazing! Having that much lead time and working with the outgoing superintendent is ideal, but not always the reality. Now that you’re in the superintendency, what’s the biggest shift for you day-to-day?

Superintendent Herrera

That’s a great question. It’s hard to describe, but it’s similar to when I transitioned from the classroom to leadership. I thought I knew everything, but then you start seeing things from a new perspective. The intensity of the role hit me especially after January 1st. It’s a big responsibility, but it’s also an incredible honor to serve the community. The shift has been both challenging and rewarding.

Dr. Kishimoto

Absolutely. Leading a public school system is much more complex than it often appears. You’ve clearly thought a lot about your priorities for the next year or two. Can you share one or two that are most important to you?

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!

We are excited to invite superintendents, board members, and leaders at the school, district and university levels to submit a proposal to present at the 2025 When Women Lead Conference in historic Charleston, SC! This is a unique learning and networking event to share your expertise, insights, and innovative strategies with peers nationally who are transforming the education landscape. Whether you have a story of transformation to tell, a successful initiative to showcase, or research that can better inform, we want to invite you! Join us in creating a powerful space for learning, connection, and empowerment.