“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama
Living by this quote, Herstory is a new club this year here at Berkley High School (BHS), which was inspired by a group called Female Focus at BHS that unfortunately stopped running a few years ago. This school year, Female Focus has been rebranded as Herstory, with Co-Presidents Isabella Roddis and Aurora Ouvry driving the rebrand and leading the club. There is also a board currently consisting of Cami Thomas, Bridgette Krauskoff, and Julia Hoerner, who all help plan events and see them through. The club meets every other Tuesday in Mrs. Horvath’s room (115).
Co-President Ouvry explains that the club was established to “empower women of all ages through volunteering, pen pals, talking to women in their fields, and so much more!” This year, the club has participated in pen pals with the elementary schools in the Berkley School District, which Ouvry states has been her “favorite event so far” because she loves “connecting with the younger girls in our community and being able to bond with them”.
On International Women’s Day, which is Mar. 8, Herstory is holding the first-ever Walk for Women at BHS! Walk for Women is an international event organized by Soroptimist, which is a “global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment”, according to their website.
This event is meant to raise awareness for women’s issues, celebrate their strengths, and foster a supportive community. This walk took place at Hurley Field from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it was a one-mile walk around the track completed at your own pace with fun activity and donation stations along the way, and prizes were given out! All proceeds will go to the Malala Fund and local women’s shelters. With any questions, please contact [email protected], and you can submit any online donations through this Venmo QR code:
In addition to the walk, Herstory is also bringing in three speakers during March for Women’s History Month to talk at the school about “their careers and experiences,” says Ouvry. These speakers include Dannah Willson (3/10), who is an education activist and UNESCO education fellow, Jasmine Brooks (3/18), who is the Senior Director of Community Hubs for Detroit College Access Network, and lastly Brittani Blackwell (3/24), who is the Regional Director of the Mighty Midwest Region. They will also post daily about empowering women, both historical and present-day, on their Instagram (@herstory_berkley), to remind or teach everyone at BHS of these women’s contributions, achievements, and importance.
Ouvry explains that, “anyone is able to join, all they have to do is come to meetings and be an active participant in club events to be considered a member.” Even if you do not wish to become a member, events, guest speakers, and the Walk for Women are open to everyone! If you could not attend the walk, you can always make donations through the QR code above. Make sure to follow @herstory_berkley on Instagram for more updates about membership and to see the important women posted throughout the month of March.
