In recognition of Women’s History Month, students in the Westfield, New Jersey elementary schools read, Mae Among the Stars. In the story, Mae’s mother says, “If you can dream it, if you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”
Relating to this story, the journalism students that write for the Edison Insider were asked the question: What are some words of wisdom from a woman you admire or a woman in your life that you’d like to pass along?
“My mom constantly says to me, ‘They’re just jealous and you should ignore them.’ This is so important because you shouldn’t care what other people think of you. Also you should continue to shine bright the way you are. -Gracie Fitzpatrick
“My mom always said that kindness heals the world. This motivates me to be kind every day.” -Santi Gensler-Canale
“A woman I admire is my mom. She doesn’t just teach me about life, but she teaches me about how to live life to the fullest. The one thing that she has said to me that I believe has helped me be a good person is to be friends with everyone. This has helped because friendships will be hard and mistakes are common. If you make one mistake with a friend it can hurt. Knowing that you are friends with everyone you will always have a support system to help you when you make those mistakes. In addition if you are friends with everybody you will have an easier time avoiding drama. I truly would not have survived school if I didn’t have my moms advice in my ear.” -Madison Greenwald
“I’ve received many pieces of wisdom from women in my life, many of them had similar messages. I decided to combine their words into what I took from every phrase, “The world won’t always be kind to us as girls, but there comes a point where we have to take that anger and that nastiness dished out to us and rip it to shreds. We have to have the courage to prove them all wrong. Even when we do, the comments may never stop. But by the point we have taken their words and turned it into motivation to succeed them in life, they are the small ones at the bottom of the barrel complaining about others’ succession, and we are the ones who are living on top of the world.” -Andersen Isolda
“Some words of wisdom from my mom are ‘Don’t stir the pot.’ This means that you should not cause problems for other people if they are not necessary.” -Sofia Lagatta
“My mom told me, ‘Life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. Sometimes you have to try and make the best of it.’ I love her advice because it taught me to accept things for what they are and not what they could’ve been. In life, it’s not always going to be perfect or end the exact way you wish. All you can do is accept it and move on. This is what makes you stronger, knowing that you can overcome anything.” -Diya Patel
“A quote I admire is ‘You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.’ This quote is by Maya Angelou, I hope many others can read this quote and let it inspire them how it inspires me each and every day.” -Scarlett Ruf
“A woman I admire in my life is my mom because she has taught me how to speak, write and a bunch of life lessons that make my life so great. Something she has said to me is ‘Value yourself.’” -Ellee Marchetti
In addition, students were asked what women should be honored for Women’s History Month? Here are some suggestions:
“An important woman that should be honored is Helen Keller. She was blind and deaf. She struggled growing up, but never gave up even in her darkest times. In the end she ended up becoming an author, political activist and an advocate for the rights of the people with disabilities.” -Maddy DeMasi
“I think Anne Frank should honored because she helped people of all ages to deeply understand the terrible times of the Holocaust. Her diary is something that I think all people should know about.” -Annie Duffy
“Malala Yousafzai should be highlighted during Women History Month because she fought for women’s education which is very important because we need more people like her sticking up for women’s rights. Without her, girls ‘ education could have been non-existent which changes so many futures and so many future generations.” -Sydney Elmquist
“We should honor Michelle Obama since she was the first African-American to serve as First lady. Obama worked as an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, and physical activity.” -Lily Fahrenbach
“Harriet Tubman should be honored because she is such a strong and independent woman who put others before herself. She could have chosen to live safely, but instead wanted to help other enslaved people escape. She represents how strong women are.” -Santi Gensler-Canale
“I think Cleopatra should be honored became the first woman to rule Egypt in her own right in over a century. And she also has inspired lots of other women leaders and just women in general.” -Charlie Sluberski
