What students can learn from women who fought for equality in education

Throughout history, women have been excluded from classrooms or otherwise disadvantaged in educational settings due to discriminatory laws and strict gender expectations. Despite the barriers, women have fought for centuries against these expectations and advocated for equality in education.

In turn, these women have made a lasting impact on educational institutions around the globe, opening classroom doors for women seeking the opportunity to learn. Several figures have cemented this change through the hard work of protests and advocacy, redefining what education can be.

During Women’s History Month, it is important to recognize the influential figures and movements that gave women access to equality in education. Let’s teach our students not only about the barriers women have faced and overcome throughout history but also the institutions they reformed, which we see today.

Here are five ways to implement women’s history and educational rights into your lessons this month:

1. Teach about empowerment. While many changes have come about with regards to women’s rights, there is still work to be done and voices of a new generation to be heard. Women’s History Month is a great time to remind your students their voices matter when making changes in their community.

2. Introduce students to influential figures and movements. When teaching about the history of women in education, remember to note the activists and movements that contributed to making change possible. Examples of influential activists can include Bernice Sandler, the woman who sparked the push for Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs. Or you can highlight the contributions made by Malala Yousafzai, who bravely fought for women’s educational rights in Pakistan.

3. Encourage leadership. The changes and reform we’ve seen throughout history would be nothing without the brave voices that made that change possible. Remind your students about the importance of being active members of their community, classroom and home. Encourage collaborative group work where each student’s voice is heard, cementing the idea that their thoughts matter and can make change.

4. Lead creative activities. Projects and other fun activities are a great way to keep students engaged while learning about dense topics such as women’s history and educational rights. Try having your students create timelines representing educational rights movements, or have them write letters celebrating the women who have made a difference in their own lives. Get creative and have fun!

5. The lessons don’t stop at educational rights. There are many other women who have made an impact on our society, such as Frida Kahlo, Amelia Earhart and Rosa Parks. Take this month to focus on the contributions and achievements of women all throughout history.

For more resources on women’s history and equality in education for women, visit AZPBS LearningMedia, where you can find informational content and educational videos dedicated to the influential figures and movements that changed education for women, such as Title IX, Malala Yousafzai and more.

In what ways are you incorporating women’s history into your lesson plans? Share your thoughts and ideas with us on the Arizona PBS Kids Facebook page!