International Women’s Day

Equity is embedded in the mission of International Women’s Day, a day first recognized in 1911 to honor the oft-ignored social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. We are far from parity when it comes to many identity markers, and while Lance and I spend most of our time talking with people about racial identity and equity, we are not blind to the relevance of gender. International Women’s Day should remind us of the power of women’s voices, their contributions, and the need to create a world where equity, parity, and inclusivity are seen as the foundation of our shared human experience.

I spent most of today participating in an educational policy colloquium at a local middle school filled with beautiful children learning and growing with the relentless love and support of the adults surrounding them. Their names were known by every adult in the building; their identities were constantly affirmed and celebrated. They belonged - and they knew it. We know the same cannot be said for all youth in our schools, camps, after-school/enrichment programs, or community centers. Feel free to insert the name of any space where youth should be welcomed as their full selves and my point would still hold. I know this experience firsthand as an elementary school student whose teacher told me that my name was misspelled or I was mispronouncing it because the ‘ch’ shouldn’t make a ‘sh’ sound. Le sigh. I was also scolded by another teacher in elementary school because she was vehemently opposed to some of the historically accurate and culturally relevant books my parents were allowing me to read. Le sigh times two. We still have work to do to create spaces and places that affirm everyone’s identity, culture, and humanity.

In the spirit of honoring women’s contributions every day and especially during International Women’s Day, I close by offering you this poem. You may know that I’m an English teacher by trade, so I’ll always find a reason to share a literary gem with others if given a chance. :) I hope it resonates and gives you a moment of pause or reflection whether you identify more with the student, the peers bearing witness to this exchange, or the well-meaning adult.

“On Listening to Your Teacher Take Attendance” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Breathe deep even if it means you wrinkle
your nose from the fake-lemon antiseptic
 
of the mopped floors and wiped-down
doorknobs. The freshly soaped necks
 
and armpits. Your teacher means well,
even if he butchers your name like
 
he has a bloody sausage casing stuck
between his teeth, handprints
 
on his white, sloppy apron. And when
everyone turns around to check out
 
your face, no need to flush red and warm.
Just picture all the eyes as if your classroom
 
is one big scallop with its dozens of icy blues
and you will remember that winter your family

took you to the China Sea and you sank
your face in it to gaze at baby clams and sea stars

the size of your outstretched hand. And when
all those necks start to crane, try not to forget

someone once lathered their bodies, once patted them
dry with a fluffy towel after a bath, set out their clothes

for the first day of school. Think of their pencil cases
from third grade, full of sharp pencils, a pink pearl eraser.

Think of their handheld pencil sharpener and its tiny blade.