What a Week for Women!

With Mothering Sunday on the horizon, how many of us realise how important the women in our lives really are? We, at Park High have been thinking about International Women’s Day, in our thoughts for the day. This week, Mrs O’Dwyer, Deputy Headteacher, is giving assemblies focusing on International Women’s Day and in particular the successes of Wangari Maathai, who is the first African women to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Wangari MathaaiWomen like Wangari Mathaai have made huge a difference in the world. Wangari Mathaai is responsible for the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which has been responsible for over 36 million trees being planted. Citizens in her area were complaining about the lack of wood and clean water. The Green Belt movement has reduced this greatly. Without these important women our world would be very different.

After hearing about Wangari Mathaai and in this important week for women we wondered if women are equal to men? Last week, on the 100th anniversary of International Women’s day, Kathryn Bigelow became the first female t o win an Oscar for Best Director. Lots of women are becoming more powerful in today’s society, but does this mean that men are still in charge?

Kathryn BigelowWe interviewed some teachers at Park high to see what International Women’s Day means to them: “Women in the world should be celebrated because they are often looked down upon”, said by Ms Dalziel. While Ms Shah told us, “It is important, as in history women didn’t have equal rights, but now this has been developed in the world”. Mr Bart felt that International Women’s day “raises the profile of women, as they are often underestimated”.

As well as there being many famous and important women in the world like, Florence Nightingale, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa, among many others, this Sunday will also be significant for celebrating the most important women in our lives – our mothers! Many students may be considering buying cards, flowers and chocolates for their mothers, but what about that little bit extra that we can all do to show how much we appreciate them? We have interviewed some students and teachers at Park High, to find out what they are preparing to do this Sunday.

Nikita, in Year 9, will clean the house for her mother, while Chandni, also in Year 9, said she will take her mum out to a restaurant and give her flowers. On the other hand, Marshall, in Year 8, told us he will be try being polite to his mother and give her a card and Zamena in Year 8 said she will give her mum breakfast in bed. So what will you do for your mother this Mother’s Day?

By Hrishika, Elwira, Sakina, Zainab and Zameena