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Webutuck High School Diversity Club marks Women’s History Month

Webutuck High School Diversity Club marks Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month was celebrated by the Diversity Club at Webutuck High School on Friday, March 20. Club members and featured speakers at the event were, left to right, Nicole Charriez, co-advisor of the Diversity Club, Betsy Strauss, Anabel Cordova, Marcus Burton, Emely Cordova, Dawn Marie Klingner, Lyla Kern, Brooklyn Talarico, Danielle Mollica-Whiteley, Jaimielee Confesor, and Raquel Singleton.

Provided

In observance of Women’s History Month, members of the Diversity Club at Webutuck High School presented a program honoring the contributions of women throughout history and those making a difference today.

The 11-member club gathered Friday, March 20, for the program, which featured speakers from the community sharing personal histories and highlighting women prominent in local history. Common themes throughout the presentation were volunteerism, purposeful living and selflessness.

Joining the students were Brooklyn Talarico, a candidate for the 105th Assembly District; Danielle Mollica-Whiteley, executive director of Angels of Light; Amenia Town Clerk and Court Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner; social worker and Webutuck staff member Raquel Singleton; and Amenia Historical Society representative Betsy Strauss.

Each speaker shared stories of women who looked beyond themselves and found purpose in helping others through public service, nonprofit work, volunteerism, government and education.

The Diversity Club was formed in 2023, according to 10th-grade student Lyla Kern, who said its mission is to celebrate diversity and highlight the range of cultural experiences that make up the student body.

“It’s amazing to highlight what modern women have gone through and to demonstrate for younger generations the importance of these women to the human experience,” said Elisa Silverio, co-adviser for the Diversity Club.

Club adviser Nicole Charriez said the Women’s History Month program had been in the works for two months. She added that past Diversity Club events have focused on Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in California in 1978. The idea spread across the country, and in 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation establishing the week of March 8 as Women’s History Week. Congress expanded the observance in 1987, designating the entire month of March as Women’s History Month.

Leila Hawken
webutuck high school

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