Meet three extraordinary young women who are paving the way
for this generation’s girl power. They are Emma Axelrod, Sammi Siegel and Elena
Tsemberis, juniors at Montclair High School, a New Jersey suburb 20 miles from
New York City.
Shana Stein, their teacher in the Civic and Government
Institute unit, has been teaching students about social reform and women’s rights,
sharing the milestones women have reached over the decades. But it wasn’t until
Ms. Stein mentioned an important fact that the idea-light-bulb flickered.
With each class, the girls pieced things together
–questioning, as Sammi did, “Why are women underrepresented in politics when
we’re 51 percent of the population?”
Ms. Stein explains, “We were looking at social change and
how far women have come, and how so much more there is to do for the women’s
movement.”
When Ms. Stein shared that 20 years had elapsed since a woman
moderated a presidential debate, these three young women knew it was time. As
they mapped out a strategy, a former student from the MHS Institute offered:
“Go to change.org and start a petition.”
With a big smile, Sammi says, “We got together and looked at
the website. We each wrote a personal story as to why we wanted people to sign
our petition.”
Elena adds, “We had to explain the issue and hoped people
would sign on.”
Once they submitted the petition, signers grew from 10,000
to over 180,000. “We kept refreshing our phones after class to see how many new
signatures we had received. It was a cool experience,” they say, beaming with
pride over their achievement.
However, there was one bitter moment in their fight for
change. After their large online following, they traveled to Washington, D.C.,
with boxes in hand to deliver the signed petitions directly to the federal
Commission on Presidential Debates. They were turned away at the door because
they did not have an appointment. Still, within days, the commission announced
that not just one woman would moderate, but two: Candy Crowley of CNN and
Martha Raddatz of ABC News.
“Women are also underrepresented in the mathematics field,”
says Sammi. For her, this is about more than just politics. “I saw that other
female classmates weren’t doing well in math class, so I kept up with
schoolwork to make sure I didn’t slip in this subject. I look to other women
for inspiration and regard them as role models.”
Elena’s experience in the Girls Leadership Institute shaped
her sense of empowering girls. “I heard many stories of victims facing sexual
harassment, abuse and low self-esteem. I realized that, as young women, we need
to be confident. There are so many girls out there who have been taught to hide
behind men and to shy away from power and authority. We need to take a stand
and become as well-informed as possible. This is what inspired me to go to
change.org.”
As for Emma, “How could I not do something?” she says. “If
my grandmother, who is an unassuming, complacent woman who is happy with what
she has in life yet was able to protest in the 70s for ERA – which wasn’t
passed – then how could I not be a part of change? There isn’t such a strong movement for women
now because men think we’re equal to them, but we’re not.”
The girls are now hailed as new local celebs. They’ve been interviewed
by CNN, FOX, NPR, The New York Times,
The Huffington Post, The L.A. Times, “even The Korean
Sun,” chimes in Sammi, who says, “My father found our picture on the front
page when he searched us online.”
“No way!” the other girls exclaimed at the news.
Their high school is planning their own debates, with an
expected attendance of about 200 students. And there’s no surprise about who
the moderators will be: Emma, Elena and Sammi will each take part.
I asked these 16-year-old leaders if they plan to enter
politics and they answer collectively, “Maybe. Especially after this.” Recently,
they were honored by the NJ State League of Women Voters as well as by the local
League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area. Fitting as the League
institutionalized the televised presidential debates for years.
Tonight, Oct. 3., is the first debate. The girls are
planning viewing parties at each other’s homes, and have invited classmates and
teachers.
“Everyone should tune in because what’s happening affects
all of us,” Elena urges. “It’s going to be great to see a woman moderate two
powerful men running for president.”
Next on the agenda? Well, Elena notes, “There are no
moderators of color this year.”
BY ELIZABETH SANTERAMO ON 10/3/2012 5:45:00 PM
POSTED IN In the News, election 2012, rock the vote, Goal Getter, Get Inspired