Throughout history, women have been overlooked, underappreciated, and mistreated. They have been ridiculed because of the way they look, how they dress, and how they carry themselves. But after many years of contempt, we now celebrate and honor women. Women are pillars of society and without them, life would not be the same. 

As highlighted on the New York City Department of Education’s Women’s History Month page, the month of March, “serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions that women of all backgrounds have made throughout the history of the United States, both by remembering those who paved the way in the struggle for gender equity in the United States, and by recognizing the history-makers and barrier breakers of today.”

This year, on Friday, March 8, QPA hosted its second Women’s History Month celebration to honor all types of women through a gallery walk. However, this time around the celebration also featured a fashion show. “I think celebrating women is important,” said QPA sophomore Arielle Mataparsad. “They’re amazing and important to society and throughout history, a lot of them have been overlooked.” 

According to QPA’s college counselor Ms. M, “It’s important to celebrate women because we do it all. We’re mothers, we’re sisters, we’re friends, we work, we do everything for everybody and sometimes it goes unnoticed.  In a male dominated society where men usually get the upper hand it’s important for us to have our moment and our moment should be everyday.”

The Gallery Walk

The gallery walk consisted of posters that showed women from around the globe who have had an impact on today’s world. Art teacher Mr. Akaloo designed the posters incorporating women of all nationalities and backgrounds that highlight how inspirational and significant women are to our history.

When asked which women really inspired him, Mr. Akaloo pointed out his aunt. “She was always encouraging me to do art, she was like, make your paintings, do your stuff. Any creative thing you wanted to do she would encourage you to do,” he said.

The posters on the hallway walls feature women such as mega-superstar Beyoncé and author Maya Angelou from the U.S.; author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and track and field athlete Toibi Amusan from Nigeria; journalist and activist Claudia Vera Jones from Trinidad; activist for Indian rights Rigoberta Menchu from Guatemala; activist for female empowerment Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan, and many more who have been courageous enough to share their stories that inspire us all. QPA students were able to see and read the stories of these powerful women, and take inspiration from their example to be strong and bold.

However, just as these famous historical figures give us inspiration, sometimes the greatest role models are the ones closest to us.  When asked which woman inspires her the most, Arielle named her mom because, “she’s always takes care of me and loves me.” She said her mom is important because she always provides her with upliftment and encouragement.

The Fashion Show

QPA’s very own Ms. Khan organized the fashion show, where QPA faculty and students dressed in cultural attire to honor their background. She shared that her inspiration  was the fact that she wanted to “do something that represents all cultures and all of our young ladies and women in the building.” She believes the fashion show was successful because many people saw themselves and their culture on display and it really resonated with them.

“I was asked by Ms. Khan to join the fashion show, and I thought it would be great if I helped her and showed off my cultural attire,” Arielle confirmed.

QPA ‘s principal Avionne Gumbs declared this would continue to be an annual occasion for QPA to celebrate the women in their lives. “Absolutely! Every year we’ll do something to celebrate,” she said.