CRIER
march 25, 2022 volume 58 issue 8
munster high school 8808
columbia
ave .
munster,
IN
46321
THE
BREAK MOLD In honor of Women’s History Month, girl club leaders describe struggles in the workplace and future goals boys while in school. Despite this, the Harvard Law male students who have already been in that field,” School pointed out in 2018 that men make up 95% Rebecca said. “The mold is more fit for them than it editor-in-chief and page editor of leadership positions in top public companies. is for myself, so I have to break the mold.” Entering through the MHS doors her freshman Rebecca is not the only girl leader well aware of Breaking the barriers women face when climbing year, Libby Fesko, now a senior, knew she wanted the challenges ahead of her. Female representation, the corporate ladder begins with tapping into the to be a leader. Given little advice that day other than no matter the field, is essential, according to ambition of girl students at the high school level, to enjoy her short time of high school experience, Riley Ramirez, senior and co-founder of Women says Isidora Pavlic, junior and president of Munster she was anxious, but determined to reach her goals. Empowerment Club. A prime purpose of the club is Theatre Company. Now as both president of Civics Club and to have a safe space for girls to feel represented and “A lot of times in our society, women secretary of Project X, the senior can be reminded of the power they hold. are expected to be quiet,” Isidora confident in the lessons she learned as a “My good friend Kate Krawczyk (senior and said. “You’re not supposed to student leader. Women represent co-founder of Women Empowerment Club) and I have strong opinions. Not that “Don’t be afraid to put yourself were talking about it one day junior year, and we long ago, women weren’t out there,” Libby said. “If it’s realized how underrepresented women can be in in leadership positions— something you want to do, just go the work field and sports,” Riley said. “We have school organizations, too. and do it to the best of your ability. so many opportunities at Munster because, as a It’s useful to have that. To And, if that doesn’t work out, whole, women and men are both constantly trying be loud, be in charge (and) there’s always a second option.” show you’re just as capable. to take every opportunity given to them. That’s rare Though her initial goals going Gender has nothing to do for a school to have.” of the work force in into high school did not always go Breaking the barriers of leadership can be with who you are as as planned, Libby soon learned to the US... even more of a challenge for women a person and if adapt to the cards dealt to her. This of color. Though the nursing field you have those ...yet only spirit of determination, she says, is one has a vast amount of women qualities to be a that will stick with her as she pursues a career representation, Meagan Hudson, leader.” in heart surgery, a field widely dominated by men. junior and co-president of Black Taking on the challenge The New England Journal of Medicine says that less Culture Club, is apprehensive of leadership is not foreign to than 5% of women work in the field. to enter the field as a Black Rebecca Franco, senior and “Surgery is 100% a male dominated field,” woman—women comprise president of French Club. She Libby said. “I know that’s a task that needs a lot of of women hold senior 91% of the nursing workforce, knows her future aspirations in organization and also leadership. You need to be able according to US Census Bureau, the business sector may begin leadership positions to not only respect and work with everyone in the but only 7.8% are African with attending Kelley School in the workforce room, but you have to ultimately be willing to take American (Health Resources and of Business, but that it will take the risk of taking that person’s life in your hands.” globally. Services Administration). Meagan’s much more to overcome the gender According to the American Psychological experience as co-president of BCC obstacles she anticipates facing. Association, across the board girls tend to succeed especially opened her eyes to the need “I’m probably going to have to work at a higher rate academically and behaviorally than for Black female representation in leadership harder and positions in almost every field of work. show my “I think it’s important (to have women worthiness representation) because in society and value we’re run by male leaders,” Meagan compared said. “BCC is something that can teach to other people and also be something fun for all students here. Trying my best to make the activities and the presentations make me feel like I’m doing something I’m proud of for our culture.” ATARAH ISRAEL & LAUREN HOOGEVEEN
47%
24%
LEADING LADIES Club leaders Meagan Hudson, junior and Black Culture Club co-president, seniors Libby Fesko, Civics Club president, Emily Sun, Culture Cuisine Club co-president and Riley Ramirez, Paragon Editor-in-Chief and Women Empowerment Club co-president. PHOTOS BY EJ BOERSMA AND ATARAH ISRAEL