Feminist clubs at Samo

In 1981, Congress passed a law which authorized all future presidents to proclaim the week of March 7 as Women’s History Week, thus beginning a series of congressional laws that eventually led to the month being designated as Women's History Month in 1987. After additional congressional laws requesting the president to proclaim March Women's History Month were passed, President Bill Clinton recognized the month officially in 1995.  At Samo, numerous clubs celebrate and fight for women’s rights every month of the year. Girl Up, run by Chloe Forssell (’20) and Emma Guerrini Romano (’20), is raising money to support female education in underdeveloped countries. Over the course of the school year they have had numerous bake sales and are halfway to their yearly $1000 goal. This money will be donated to a girls school in Uganda to fund school supplies and transportation.  “Women’s History Month is an ode to the movements and women that have improved social conditions for females both in the United States, and currently, in countries like Uganda,” Guerrini Romano said.  Another female activism club at Samo, Girls Learn International (GLI), is run by Mari Kubani (’19) and Sydney Sobel (’20). The mission of the club is to educate students on how everyone can help level the playing field in terms of gender. Often, meetings consist of a member of the club presenting on a gender equality issue currently happening in the world. The purpose of this is to fuel an in-depth discussion about the topic and educate all club members.  “We aren’t doing anything for women's month but we are within the club continuing our meetings and talking about specific women who should be remembered for what they’ve done,” Sobel said. Club Menstrual Rights, run by Caitlin Durkin (’21) and Emery Komlos (’21), focuses in on a specific feminist issue, with the goal of having free and accessible feminine hygiene products in all female and gender neutral bathrooms on Samo’s campus. Their club is responsible for the free tampon and pad dispensers that have been installed in many campus bathrooms. They are currently working with the administration to format a plan for how to keep the dispensers getting periodically refilled.  “Women’s History Month is a wonderful celebration of all of the past women who have helped in many aspects all around the world. We hope to make those women who have fought for our voices proud by taking this next step to improve menstrual equality,” Durkin said.  Menstrual Rights Club is also working to lead open discussions about menstrual rights, educating teachers and students as well as standardizing bathroom pass rules during class time so that students can feel comfortable leaving class without giving up extra credit points.  Another feminist club at Samo is Girls Pact, run by Jessica Mejia (’19). The club focuses on fostering self confidence to create healthy and positive relationships. During meetings, a wide range of topics are discussed such as knowing the boundaries you need to set in relationships to keep yourself happy and healthy. Girls Pact has been involved in numerous events to spread awareness about their club, including the Abbot Kinney Festival, the Golden Globes and Club Day. “Being a part of this club has helped me improve relationships and set boundaries with friends, families and everyone. I definitely feel like it will help other teens improve that as well,” Mejia said.   As we reflect on Women’s History Month, it would be wrong not to acknowledge the strong women who are making history at Samo. Each club’s leaders and members proudly represent the continuation of the celebration and fight for women’s rights.