Women’s history month is a month to mourn and celebrate women’s struggles throughout the history of men and women alike. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of women to the world. 

Women’s history month was born out of an effort to push for equal access to jobs and education. Which was one of the demands made during the march for equality that filled the streets of New York on August 26, 1970 and ultimately changed the course of history for the greater good.

“Women’s history month means to me is a month to celebrate and recognize women who have fought for rights today.” Says Kymeal Gualden, CKHS senior.

“I feel like decorations for women’s history month or women’s figures each day. People don’t think we have a voice or a say and it’s degrading to women because we have a say just like men do. I want to see change after the month by appreciating women for what they do and not just being a one month thing, it should be an everyday thing.” 

Gualden expresses her frustration that people only recognize women when they have to, or when it’s convenient for them to do so. 

For change to happen around CKHS, the school as a whole needs to do a better job appreciating women around the school who are not only involved in the school community, but for sporting achievements or any academic achievements they may recieve. 

“Women’s history month is not just the history of women’s history but the women now, no matter what they look like,” says Aaliyah Chandler, CKHS senior.

“Women’s history month can be from a couple months ago or even today,” says Chandler. “It’s more of relevance and recognition. I haven’t seen anything supporting women’s history month. They could put up slideshows and show the women who have fought for women’s rights. One time a guy assumed that girls sports are less than boy sports. Hopefully people would have more acknowledgement.”

Chandler voices her frustration that girls are constantly brought down and underappreciated in sporting achievements and academic achievements because they are seen as less competitive than men. 

During Women’s History Month, there could be slideshows showcasing amazing achievements by women around the school and we could congratulate them that way.

Women want to see change in our school and from a female stand point it doesn’t seem fair because this month isn’t recognized like other months or holidays.  

This is a stigma that needs to be broken and that will start by appreciating women for their achievements everyday. Not just when it is convenient or because it is Women’s history month. 

“Women’s history month means everything to me because I love women because they’re fantastic.” Vaiyon Montira says, 

“I have supported this month by complimenting women when I see them in the hallway,” says Montira. “Of course there should be a women’s history month because without them we would be nothing. Not very well educated, but I want to learn more.” 

From a male perspective around the school, men think that complimenting women is a way to show appreciation during this month, but that isn’t enough. As a community, everyone needs to come together and be better. They need to show appreciation everyday, not just during a month out of the year. 

“Women’s history month means a lot to me, you know. I think that women don’t get enough credit for what they’ve done these past few years.” Says Tristan Ratuita, a senior at Central Kitsap High School,

“I have supported women’s history month by complimenting them on how much they’ve done around the community and around the world. Yes there should be a women’s history month because they deserve it. I am not educated at all on Women’s history.” 

It is a common theme in our school that men are very uneducated about women’s struggles on a daily basis. During Women’s History Month, we should do a better job to educate everyone about what led up to the movement and powerful women around the world to show everyone that men aren’t the only ones who deserve recognition and relevance. 

“Women’s history month means a lot to me.” Says Connor Everman, 

“I haven’t done anything to support women’s history month,” says Everman. “Yeah I think there should be a women’s history month. I am not educated on women’s history month.”

Within our community, true equality should start with educating people about women’s struggles. Specifically, what led up to women’s suffrage.

Once people start to understand the struggles that women face on a daily basis at CKHS like disrespectful behavior, no appreciation, and relavance. People will start to appreciate everything that they do for CKHS and their communities.

From the beginning women have been treated with no respect and from what we hear from women in CKHS, it needs to come to an end.