CREATING POSSIBILITIES
Stories to inspire Courage & Hope
“Too often we see curriculum that portray women in passive and discriminatory manners, a dearth of mentors, and an education system that places too little focus on the ‘soft skills’, sport participation, and leadership skills that are critical to success in jobs, to a more dignified family life, and to promoting political change”
- (Sperling & Winthrop, 2016, p. 12).
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This page is dedicated to empowering girls & women through life stories, giving us the models and discourse we need for insightful change.
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Contributions of links or personal stories of struggle, hope and triumph are
welcome from anywhere in the world to be part of this change.
Breaking the Mold
Mansiya
Reflect & Plan
Teachers: please view this video and read the background article.
Reflect on the discourse and assumptions that might lie behind this tradition.
Even though there are enforced laws, "the practice continues to thrive due to a complex set of reasons including
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patriarchal traditions,
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poverty,
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education patterns,
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and lack of awareness"
These are specific challenges to students' futures.
Consider how your students might discuss the above challenges (within age appropriate content) and post your ideas in the applicable forum.
Shaesta Waiz
"Afghan Refugee Completes Historic Flight Around the World"
Shaesta faced many challenges to become the youngest woman ever to fly a single-engine plane around the world.
Read and share this amazing story with your students. Consider the challenges she wrote about, and others she may have faced.
Contemplate how Shaesta achieved her goal.
Shaesta hopes to be an inspiration for girls. What could you achieve if you let your "Dreams Soar"?
Bana Alabed
Through 8 year old Bana's story a message for peace and hope brought inspiration amidst adversity. She dreams that one day she may write her own book and become a teacher.
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Malala Yousafzai
At age 11, Malala had clear ideas for her life. Many opposed her ideas for education, and used force to silence her and other girls who dare to dream of equality.
Her life and her speech stands as a model for girls around the world.
"1 girl, 1 teacher, 1 pen, 1 book, can change the world.
Education is the only solution"
Now many girls have a voice.