It’s Women’s History Month—an opportunity to celebrate the strong, intelligent women that have graced our past, and to get young girls hopeful for the future. 

Mental Health Advocacy Club and the Media Arts and Technology Academy have led the efforts in celebrating women’s history here at Venice High School. English teacher Ruth Greene, who also leads the Media Arts and Technology Academy, hosted a showing of Barbie February 29 to start off the month’s celebration. 

“Barbie has this big message of empowerment for women,” Greene said. “We are dealt these impossible situations in terms of the society we live in, so that was the whole purpose of showing the movie.”

The Women’s History Month celebrations will be primarily in the form of the art showcase later this month. The artwork on display will be empowering pieces demonstrating women’s history and experiences. 

Senior Isabelle Gomez said that she looks to art to express her emotions.

“Sometimes talking doesn’t quite portray how I feel, so I resort to art to explain the whirlwind of my mind,” she said.

There is a special need for a showcase of women empowerment, according to Greene.

“It goes beyond catcalling now—it’s become social media catcalling. These people will go in and degenerate you,” she said. 

The gallery aims to promote a sense of pride when it comes to womanhood, and allows people to see visually the effects of harassment of empowerment. 

“It can be hard to determine what your worth is as a person,” Greene said. “I’d like to say that things have changed, but it hasn’t really.” 

This Women’s History Month display provides comfort and empowerment for all the women and girls who see it.

Senior Kaylan Manchilla is excited about the artwork on display.

“Women’s art showcases a side of the art world that’s often neglected, and gives people new perspectives on this medium,” she said.