The world sees leaders as people who inspire, collaborate and are determined to advocate for what they believe in. The Young Women’s Leadership Club at Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) aims to embody these leadership qualities in young female students. The club, started by HBHS juniors Norah Howell and Georgia Reed, debuted at Club Rush this Oct. 9.
Howell, the club president, said, “The inclusion of this club will mean a fun, interactive and educational leadership experience for students who participate.”
Women’s clubs aren’t anything new. Jane “Jennie June” Croly, a female anti-slavery advocate and journalist, hosted the first women’s club with her peers in 1868. After that, women across America disregarded customary restrictions, deciding to host and join women’s clubs to learn how to fight for their voices. They were successful in receiving the right to higher education, addressing the abuse of young girls in factories, and as generations passed, women have kept fighting for what they believe in, such as having a voice in politics and business.
The Young Women’s Leadership Club is designed to enable young leaders through volunteer work within the community.
HBHS junior Kylie Aviles, the club secretary, said, “I believe that helping your community and supporting them in ways that are often not accounted for is something really special.”
This club is widely engaged in the community, working with non-profit organizations such as Olga-Feed the Need. Their mission is to help underprivileged childrento copletee their elementary education and continue their studies on to be able to graduate school. This outreach program creates a bond between HBHS and the community.
The club is using curriculum from Young Women Leadership Education and Development (LEAD), an administrator-approved online platform that helps young leaders use their newfound leadership skills. This program allows aspiring leaders to share messages of empowerment with peers with interactive instructional tools focused on workforce skills, leadership development and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career mentorship opportunities. Members of the Young Women’s Leadership Club will exhibit commitment, gain volunteer hours and develop leadership skills.
Reed said, “It proves that you can work in a team-based setting and focus on real-life issues that are at the forefront of today’s challenges for equality.”
The Young Women’s Leadership Club helps members gain leadership skills, creates connections with the community and teaches the aspiring leaders of tomorrow how to be self-reliant and courageous today. To join, text @k289gce to 81010.
