The Ukiah High News Team wants to recognize Women’s History Month here at Wildcat Nation. We’re offering an inside look at the month and some local historical events that contributed to this honorary celebration.
Women’s History Month dates back to 1911, when the first International Women’s Day was celebrated. It lacked traction in the early 20th century, but in 1978, during the week of International Women’s Day, a Sonoma County School District celebration sparked the flame that became Women’s History Week. Just two years later, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation designating the week of March 8th as Women’s History Week (NWHA).
As we reflect on Women’s History Month, it is important to highlight our own local figures who helped pave the way for women’s suffrage. According to the Historical Society of Mendocino County, Clarina Nichols is one of many historical figures with ties to Ukiah. In 1871, Nichols and her family moved to Ukiah after spending her young adult life on the East Coast. She continued her fight for women’s rights with her newspaper column in the Pacific Rural Press, a publication based in San Francisco. She also married into the Carpenter family and is the grandmother of local artist Grace Hudson.
The Ukiah High News team spoke with a faculty member and a student about their views on Women’s History Month and its impact on them as women on campus and in education.
Art and Drawing teacher, Ms. Easterbrook, spoke about the significance of honoring women of the past, present, and future: “I would say celebrating Women’s History is an important thread throughout teaching. [In] this country, public education is linked to women’s history.”
Easterbrook continued, “I guess that’s part of it for me: celebrating my rights as an American, and as a woman too. Looking back, and just remembering what I have, and also, looking at other women leaders.”
She finished by highlighting that although we have come a long way in the fight for equity and recognition, there is always more we can do. “There’s a lot of history, but as far as the month right now, I don’t know what we do to honor it. I’d like to hear more about it. I just remember references to women of the past who fought for our rights. I think celebrating the contributions of women to all fields of research is important. We should elevate those voices more.”
Junior Amaya Upchurch shared with UHS News, “It’s nice to see people of all genders recognizing women’s history and the fact that women’s history isn’t over yet.”
Upchurch acknowledges that there is still much to do for women’s equality. She notes how misogyny is still relevant in today’s society: “I think it’s a trap we often fall into, but we’re still fighting that fight. We’re still facing misogyny. We’re still being paid less. We’re still facing all of these discriminatory issues.”
Upchurch closed with her knowledge of Women’s History Month, and admitted, “I think that I do not know enough. I’m really grateful for the education that I’ve been provided. I feel like I know a lot of things, but I just don’t think I know nearly enough.”
Women continue to push boundaries today. Ukiah High has a Women’s Empowerment Club where students of all genders gather to discuss issues related to the female experience. This Club plays a vital role in raising awareness across the Ukiah High campus. If you want to celebrate women’s accomplishments and discuss their unique challenges, consider attending Mondays at lunch in room F9!
Josette Mealey
Josette Mealey is currently a junior attending Ukiah High School. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry and reading about the world around her. Originally from Decatur, Illinois, Josette has loved the unique feel of Ukiah since she was six years old. In recent years, she has been interested in local politics and has wanted to be an active member in her school and community. She wanted to take journalism so that she could get a deeper insight into the news articles she reads every day. Email her at josette_mealey27@uusd.net.
Briana Goodson is a Junior and a journalist at Ukiah High School. In her free time, Briana enjoys reading books and writing. She also enjoys cheerleading and has done it for many years. She joined the journalism class because she wants to write about things that will keep her peers updated.
She was born in Ukiah California which makes writing things about her community hit close to home. Briana thinks of herself as hardworking but still knows how to show her goofy side. Not only is this Briana’s third year writing for the journalism team at Ukiah High she looks forward to writing for journalism in her Senior year for her last year.
Savannah Kram
Savannah Kram is a junior at Ukiah High School and in her second year of Journalism. She is involved in the Drama department, in her third year. She is a pretty involved student, now taking on Speech and Debate this school year. She joined the journalism class for new experiences, to write about local and current events, and to bring awareness to subjects that have yet to be shown under the spotlight. She was born in Ukiah, California raised in a different state, being back here made her more inspired to become more involved within the Ukiah community. She is ecstatic to continue her journey at Ukiah High News this school year and hopefully continue in journalism in the future.
Audriena Ramos
Audriena Ramos is a junior at Ukiah High. She is from Alpine, Texa and moved to Ukiah five years ago. This is her first year taking journalism. She is the vice president of the UHS Women's Empowerment club, and outside of school, she enjoys doing ballet with Mendocino Ballet.
Salvio Senerchia was born in Santa Rosa and has lived in Mendocino County his whole life. He is a Freshman and in his first year of Journalism. He has a deep care for the world, its imperfections and inequalities. Salvio loves all things soccer, and is interested in law. He is an avid Liverpool F.C. fan and hopes to visit the city and attend a match! He loves learning, especially History, Math, and any and all reading and writing. He enjoys writing about current and past events and conflicts. Salvio loves traveling, exploring the world and learning about the places he visits.