03/08/2022
One of our Bobcats shares her thoughts on Women's History Month with CPS!
Happy Women’s History Month! Across Chicago, our elementary schools are brimming with young women who are poised to become the future leaders of our city.
At Burroughs Elementary School in Brighton Park, eighth-grade student Alyssa believes that this month should be devoted to celebrating how the courage and hard work of women across the world have spearheaded our progress. When it comes to women she looks up to, she thinks both about historical figures and the women who have directly impacted her.
“I really admire Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I actually did a presentation on her in seventh grade and I learned that she stood up for what she believed in even when other people did not agree with her,” she said. “I also look up to both of my grandmothers. They immigrated here from Mexico and did everything they possibly could to give my parents a better life.”
Alyssa is ready to leave her mark by working toward her goal of having a career in the medical field. Her parents are both nurses, and she’s already been developing the skills that will help her become successful, such as time management. In addition to completing all of her schoolwork, she’s been part of volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball teams, with softball being her favorite sport.
As her time at Burroughs winds down, she describes this part of her elementary school experience as bittersweet. While she’s sad to leave the peers with whom she has grown up, she feels like the new opportunities to socialize will help her grow as a person.
Just like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, her message to her peers centers on using your voice.
“As students, especially female students, we need to not be afraid to say what needs to be said,” she said. “I even need to take this advice sometimes because when I would see something that wasn’t right, I was very shy. Now, I feel more confident and ready to speak up.”
