Greenhill eighth graders recently celebrated Women’s History Month with an activity that intended to highlight the impactful actions of women over the past century. 

Students and teachers alike were given coloring sheets that depicted women who made a difference in their chosen medical, social or political fields, where they could choose an individual to color in and research facts about. 

Middle School science teacher Susan Eve chose Linda Loaiza López, who survived months of sexual abuse and violence following her abduction in Venezuela at the age of 19 and has since gained international renown as an advocate for women’s rights. 

“I saw the woman in a wheelchair and I thought, ‘what’s your story?’” Eve said after examining the coloring sheets. 

Eve emphasized the importance of devoting a month to celebrating the accomplishments of women whose stories were concealed or forgotten. She said it was important for young girls to discover these stories to foster a new generation of impactful women. 

“Because when we see people that look like us, we can imagine that we can do that, and that’s important.” Eve said. 

Students say they drew inspiration from the stories of the women they learned about. 

Eighth grader Alia Gaitonde chose to learn about Maria De Penha. 

“She was inspiring to me because even though in court she wasn’t given fair treatment herself, she was willing to fight for a woman in the future who might be in the same place as her,” Gaitonde said.