From the Desk of the Superintendent: SFUSD Celebrates Women's History Month 2022

By Dr. Vincent Matthews

Around the world, millions of people celebrate Women’s History Month in March. Today I want to share some of the ways San Francisco public schools have celebrated and uplifted women, and gender diversity, in recent years.

At Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 computer science and tech classes are learning about women in computer science and STEM. A group of kindergarten and 4th grade girls called Tech Queens in recent years have met after class to build community and talk about tech and perseverance.  Elementary school students learn about a woman who broke barriers to achieve her dreams. These women include NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson and engineer Dr. Mae Jemison, who was the first African American woman to go to space.

Also in recent years, a group of young women at Balboa High School called Bal EmpowHER have stood up for themselves and others by providing a safe space for females and their allies to learn, grow and excel in leadership, communication and self-empowerment. They have promoted and facilitated conversations about women’s health and rights in their school community.

In addition to ensuring our students learn about and celebrate women, we also strive to have inclusive school communities. SFUSD has Gender Inclusive Language guidance to support all staff to use language in a way that is free of gender bias. The guidance includes definitions and examples of inclusive language; recommendations for working with students regarding grammar and usage, and classroom culture; and resources for educators. 

For additional resources to celebrate Women’s History Month, check out these book recommendations and events from the San Francisco Public Library. SFUSD’s educational TV show for K-2 families SF Loves Learning has aired segments related to Women’s History Month and past episodes can be found online.

Finally, I want to take a moment to honor the women in my life, especially my mom, my wife, my teachers and my colleagues, who have all been part of making this world –– and my world – a better place.

###