In its first year at Samo, feminist literature emerged as a standout course among one of the several senior English electives, each with an identity-based focus. The class delves into women's literature and was originally formed by a passionate group of students, which stemmed from the Feminist Literature Club led by Lillian Topp (’23). Topp, along with Halie Matsui (’23), Rosie Haygood (’23), and Kaela Khorsand Mashhadi (’23) shared their vision with the English teacher, Elizabeth Waters, which eventually gained traction among Samo’s English department and SMMUSD administrators. Through much collaboration, they created a curriculum teaching students a nuanced understanding of feminism and the active presence of gender within historical and modern writing.

The Feminist Literature course allows students to see their everyday environment through a gender-focused lens, challenging them to consider how stereotypes and cultural ideals can affect their understanding of gender. The course is designed for all students, beyond just women. Waters hopes that the class will grow students’ understanding of the elements of gender and its part in our overall functionality as a human race.

“I want [students] to be asking more complex questions about the world and how gender plays a role in it. I also want them to be equipped to advocate for equity when it comes to gender, particularly in areas in which women or nonbinary people are discriminated against,” Waters said.

Feminist Literature presents students with a variety of works, integrating a good balance between nonfiction and historical writings with fictional pieces. Students are immersed in the works of influential authors such as Simone de Beauvoir, an existentialist feminist philosopher who stressed the importance of complete freedom of choice. De Beauvoir strongly influenced the second wave of global feminism for women in the 1960s, all the way to the contemporary voice of Roxane Gay, who provides an intersectional perspective to feminist literature.

The course covers pieces such as “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, a novel written by Zora Neale Hurston, which follows the journey of Janie Crawford as she seeks independence and self-actualization while living as a Black woman in the southern United States. Along with “Women, Race and Class” by Angela Davis which analyzes our country's feminist history under the guise of whiteness and class divisions.

However, the pursuit of feminist activism at Samo goes beyond classroom confinements and is active in many Samo clubs. One of the most notable being ‘Products for All’ in which members ensure students have access to the necessary menstrual products within schools and educate their peers on women's health.

“We're actively living in patriarchal systems. It's important for me to challenge those systems and bring attention to them so that we can make shifts and correct them to better serve all people,” Waters said.

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