Empowering Female Voices Program Update
By Madison G. ’22
Two weeks ago nine Foxcroft students took the opportunity to enter into an Empowering Female Voices program hosted by the Close Up Foundation. Based in Washington, DC, the Close Up Foundation started back in 1971 and has since had more than 900,000 students, teachers, and parents participate in their programs. Their goal is to inspire students to find their voice and to help them develop the skills and awareness they need to be engaged citizens for a lifetime.
Two weeks ago nine Foxcroft students took the opportunity to enter into an Empowering Female Voices program hosted by the Close Up Foundation. Based in Washington, DC, the Close Up Foundation started back in 1971 and has since had more than 900,000 students, teachers, and parents participate in their programs. Their goal is to inspire students to find their voice and to help them develop the skills and awareness they need to be engaged citizens for a lifetime.
The Empowering Female Voices program is celebrating 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment! In honor of this, the program aims to bring women together to deliberate about difficult political perspectives. Our first discussion asked the question, “What is the difference between a debate and a deliberation?” In a debate, you defend your own opinion but in a deliberation, everyone listens to different perspectives with an open mind. This is the mindset Foxcroft girls take into each discussion session.
The program began by discussing the history of the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote. While the suffragist movement and the amendment itself left out women of color, it was an attempt to push the nation closer to justice. With that in mind, we will use justice as a lens to examine current issues and the role women do play and should play in political and leadership arenas. For instance, we spent some time exploring, defining, and understanding the tensions between the values of liberty and justice. Students reflected on the following questions: What do you think of when you hear the word “justice”? Can you think of any other historical movements that demanded justice? These questions will help us when deliberating about important issues facing the nation.
Last week our central question was, “What actions, if any, should the government take to address economic inequality?” We deliberated about the Equal Pay Act of 1963, federal minimum wage, universal basic income, earned income tax credit, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, as well as some other influential developments. This week we will be addressing Medicare, medical leave, the Hyde Amendment, Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, and the diversity of healthcare professionals in order to address inequalities in American healthcare.
Lastly, I want to give a shout out to the amazing Mr. Scharfenberg and Ms. Page for leading these discussions, as well as Mrs. McGehee for giving us the opportunity. I look forward to the upcoming conversations!
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The program began by discussing the history of the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote. While the suffragist movement and the amendment itself left out women of color, it was an attempt to push the nation closer to justice. With that in mind, we will use justice as a lens to examine current issues and the role women do play and should play in political and leadership arenas. For instance, we spent some time exploring, defining, and understanding the tensions between the values of liberty and justice. Students reflected on the following questions: What do you think of when you hear the word “justice”? Can you think of any other historical movements that demanded justice? These questions will help us when deliberating about important issues facing the nation.
Last week our central question was, “What actions, if any, should the government take to address economic inequality?” We deliberated about the Equal Pay Act of 1963, federal minimum wage, universal basic income, earned income tax credit, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, as well as some other influential developments. This week we will be addressing Medicare, medical leave, the Hyde Amendment, Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, and the diversity of healthcare professionals in order to address inequalities in American healthcare.
Lastly, I want to give a shout out to the amazing Mr. Scharfenberg and Ms. Page for leading these discussions, as well as Mrs. McGehee for giving us the opportunity. I look forward to the upcoming conversations!
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
