Students find blueprints for their own lives in their teachers. When we highlight women’s achievements—scientists, musicians, health professionals, education leaders and politicians—we expand the possibilities for all young people. In models and mentors, students find themselves and rise.
Someday history may fully tell herstory. Until then, Asha Moore, Lauren Danner, Christelle Tambwe, Pamela Stoot, Krystle Dunn, Nancy Bernardino and Zulma Perez-Estrella guide the way.
Christelle Tambwe escaped genocide and overcame great odds as a refugee in America. Now a member of Houston’s Teach for America corps, Christelle fuels student achievement through lived experience and authentic relationships.
Pamela Stoot has been a musician and performer since elementary school. She found her fulfilling career in music as a Houston educator. Remembering the joy she felt as a student in music classes, she now ignites that same light in students.
At Alief International Academy in Houston, science teacher Krystle Dunn combines lifelong science learning and cross-disciplinary collaboration to train the next generation of problem solvers.
Mentorship can change lives—and this is true for children as young as five years old. Just ask Nancy Bernardino, founder and principal of Solar Prep Academy for Girls is Dallas. Nancy now leads her students and staff to reach higher every day.
Zulma Perez-Estrella discovered her passion for teaching while developing interactive science, math and health curricula for Girls Inc. As a public health educator and medical student, she developed a desire to make STEM education accessible to underrepresented and immigrant youth.
In 2018’s “pink wave,” former National Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes became the first African American woman to represent Connecticut in the US Congress. Connecticut was also the first state to elect a female governor!
Dallas-Fort Worth can boast one of the top spots for female entrepreneurs. The area also elected the country’s first Latina sheriff, Lupe Valdez—one of the first LGBTQ elected officials, too. Valdez even ran for state governor!
One of the most diverse cities in the nation, Houston was the first major city in the U.S. to elect an openly gay mayor, Annise Parker. More recently, the city elected 17 African American women to area courts in a campaign dubbed “black girl magic.” ??
In 2018, Sharice Davids became one of the first Native American woman to serve in Congress and the first openly LGBTQ person to represent her state. The city is also home to The Women's Empowerment Initiative, a joint effort with the mayor's office and local industry.
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For these educators, Women's History Month is a chance to reflect on the women who have led, inspired, mentored and challenged generations past and present.