By Sarah M., Seventh Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contribution of half of its citizens,” Michelle Obama eloquently said while addressing the issue of women’s rights in the United States.
On Jan. 21, 2017, women, men and children from around the world gathered to raise their voices and fight for gender equality at organized women’s marches. Countries worldwide have hosted marches to raise awareness about gender inequalities that need to be addressed.
The issue of powerlessness among women is not a new one, but rather a social ill that has gained more publicity and attention this past year. Women feel the need to speak out and protest against these problems now more than ever, especially in light of recent events, such as an increased number of publicly disclosed sexual assaults, unequal pay in the workplace, and the lack of female representation in political offices.
Following the success of the 2017 march, another was organized the following year to serve as an “anniversary” event. Fewer people attended the second march, but it gave individuals another opportunity to speak publicly. It also created a continuous movement to show that the fight is continuing.
People at the marches held up signs with inspirational quotes, wore pink hats to protest the objectification of women, and raised their voices to chant in unity.
Hannah Merwin, a junior at Pikesville High School, attended the 2018 march and created a poster (see image) that said, “I’m with her” with arrows surrounding the words. “The march was exhilarating, empowering, and had a feeling of love,” she said.
“The streets were flooded with people,” Merwin noted.
There were also many adults at the march, including some Krieger Schechter Day School faculty. Liz Minkin-Friedman, KSDS Director of Development & Strategic Advancement and a proud feminist, also voiced her opinion at the 2017 march. She joined thousands of other women, men, and children along the streets of the nation’s capital.
“The march made me feel proud to be a woman, and I felt the awareness that everyone there was making history. I also experienced a sense of sisterhood,” Minkin-Friedman explained.
The marches not only got the world to start acknowledging the injustices, but they also inspired women to speak about the experiences and take action. What started as a few people standing up for their beliefs quickly became a nationwide phenomenon that caught the world’s attention.
Jmore Juniors Noah S. and Eli S. take a look at the differences between the Jewish communities of Baltimore and Chicago.
Madeline L., a seventh grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, writes about the phenomenon that has been Starbucks over the past half-century.
An eighth grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, Jmore Juniors writer Micah B answers an array of questions from his peers.
Jmore Junior Eitan Beck writes about the pros and cons of having electric cars in the future.