Throughout March, Millikan’s Female Leadership Academy (FLA) club has been giving shoutouts to different female staff members on the daily intercom announcements, they also hosted a rally during lunch on March 28th to promote women owned businesses and helped showcase events for Women’s History Month.
Third year FLA member, Michelle Morris, a junior in PEACE said, “It helps people be more educated on the things women do. The club gives girls a place to feel like they belong and gives us a sense of sisterhood, we all relate to each other.”
Over 50 years ago, in 1978, the week of March 8 was named Women’s History Month in the county of Santa Rosa, CA.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter made the week into a National Holiday, for the whole country to celebrate. Seven years later Congress passed Public Law 100-9, stating that Women’s History Week would become a month-long holiday throughout March.
Every year since then, every president has issued a series of annual proclamations, making sure the holiday continues its annual return. The National Women’s History Alliance selects a theme for the month and this year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together.” The theme focuses on the women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership to our future generations.
At Millikan the Female Leadership Academy has created a community of female students who learn leadership and role model skills.
First year member Ava Jairegui, a junior in MBA said, “I have a sister, and wanted to be a role model to her. I also just wanted to learn about female history and learn how to be a good leader.”
Many other high schools in LBUSD like Poly, Wilson, and Cabrillo, also have FLA clubs, teaching girls how to be strong and confident leaders in a safe space.
Across all areas of life, women provide important perspectives, skills, and strengths as, leaders in business, politics, science, arts, literature, and sports. Women are also essential caregivers, who nurture families and are the mothers that raise our future leaders. Their contributions to life are invaluable, enriching our world in countless ways and making it a more caring and compassionate place. Way before the first National Women’s History Week in 1978, women have been mothers, leaders, and idols who deserved to be honored.
Callie Sythe • Apr 10, 2025 at 10:15 pm
On April 3, 2025, Hana Word wrote an article titled, “Women’s History Month”. This article reflects on how women all over contribute to the world in so many ways, whether that’s in politics, science, art, literature, sports, etc. This article mentions Millikan’s Female Leadership Academy (FLA) club and how in March they have showcased events, promoted women owned businesses, and more. Michelle Morris, a third year FLA member in Peace declares how this club has brought the girls at Millikan together and allows for them to have a safe place to relate to each other.
Word mentions in the article the upbringing of Women’s History Month, and how it started off as only a week 50 years ago in 1978, to later becoming a full month dedicated to women. Not only did Word emphasize the sisterhood and unity of the Female Leadership Academy club, but also how it helps female students learn to become role models and leaders. Word’s article about the significance roles women play in everyday life can create more appreciation for the women in our life during the month of March.
Lily Temple • Apr 10, 2025 at 2:48 pm
Dear Corydon Editor,
On April 3, 2025, Hana Word wrote an article titled “Women’s History Month”. I really appreciated how this article spotlighted the incredible work Millikan’s Female Leadership Academy (FLA) is doing for Women’s History Month. I loved reading about the daily intercom shoutouts and the rally promoting women-owned businesses—it’s clear the students are taking real initiative to celebrate and empower women in their community. I found Michelle Morris’s quote especially moving because it reminded me of how important it is for young women to have spaces where they feel seen, supported, and inspired. Her words made me reflect on the value of sisterhood and the power that comes from shared experiences.
What stood out most to me was how the article tied FLA’s work to a larger, national celebration of women’s history. I think it’s amazing that these students are not only learning about historical contributions but are also stepping up as leaders themselves. I felt especially inspired by Ava Jairegui’s motivation to be a role model for her sister—it made me think about how leadership often starts close to home.
Sincerely,
Lily Temple
Maggie Guillen • Apr 10, 2025 at 1:58 pm
This article highlights Millikan’s celebration of the Female Leadership Academy (FLA). This piece was not only informative but also inspiring, shining a light on the powerful impact of student-led initiatives in promoting recognition and respect for women’s contributions throughout history and in our daily lives. It was particularly heartening to read the voices of FLA members like Michelle Morris, a junior in PEACE, and Ava Jairegui, a junior in MBA, who shared how the club fosters community, education, and confidence among young women. Their desire to learn about women’s history and become role models reflects the kind of forward-thinking leadership our world needs. Recognizing and honoring the strength, resilience, and influence of women, whether as educators, caregivers, or professionals, is essential in building a more equal and compassionate society. I really enjoyed how light was shed on this important student-led movement and reminded readers of the impact young women can make when empowered with knowledge and support.
Cienna • Apr 10, 2025 at 1:39 pm
This article does an outstanding job in organizing the article so that it informs the readers about the history of women’s history month in general, and then brings it back to the present to what we are doing to celebrate it at Millikan.
One really impressive aspect of this article is the use of interviews of Female Leadership Academy members and pictures from our Women’s History Month Rally. Furthermore, Word gains information from multiple sources around campus. The way this article is structured is absolutely perfect to the origin of Women’s History Month and how it stemmed from the characteristics of women. Word makes sure to give women the credit for this month and is sure to mention the natural leadership and kindness that goes into a woman´s character. Ending with stating the wonders of women in this world, this leaves the reader into taking gratitude for this month and appreciating the mothers, leaders, and idols who deserved to be honored.
One small aspect I would critique or add to this article would be to add interviews from other women who have made an impact in the world. In addition to local viewpoints from our FLA members, it would be a nice addition to hear from idols that young girls look up to and how this month connects them all together. In the whole theme of this year’s Women’s History Month in moving forward together, quotes from impactful women from over the years would be a great inclusion to the overall message of this article.
All in all, this article does an excellent job in creating a positive viewpoint on the impactfulness of women and all they contribute to this world. Word makes sure that they are honored correctly and readers are informed of the history of these special leaders.
Sasha Rose Foreman • Apr 10, 2025 at 9:56 am
On April 3rd, 2025, Hana Word wrote an article titled “Women’s History Month”. I found this article very interesting because it gives the reader further information on what our school and clubs are doing to uplift others, especially women. Also, it has educated me on the history and origins of Women’s History Month, which is something I had no clue about prior to reading this article. I never knew that every president since 1980 has signed proclamations that keep the holiday/month alive every year. Furthermore, it is interesting that there are different themes every year for Womens History Month, with this year’s theme being “Moving Forward Together.” All in all, I appreciate the fact that our school, along with several others in LBUSD focus on celebrating and strengthening young women, not just during March, but throughout the year by the honorable actions of our FLA club.
Marisa Ramos • Apr 10, 2025 at 9:53 am
As a proud active member of Millikan’s Female Leadership Academy, I would like to thank Word in giving FLA recognition for all the hard work that we do, especially during Women’s History Month.
The month of March is a special time for FLA because this is how we strive to accomplish our goal of empowering the young women here at Millikan. Every member of FLA has worked hard to make the Women’s Rally a huge success and Women’s History Month an even bigger one. From the daily announcements to vendors at the Women’s rally, each FLA member doing that is a girl who has built up her confidence in giving back to her community and their wish to bring awareness to the many accomplishments that women have achieved over the years.
So thank you Word for giving the spotlight to FLA and spreading the word of what our academy’s mission is.