“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
― Angela Y. Davis
Over the last few days, recent events have revealed frustration, pain, and inequities over the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is on the back of the many others, like Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, that have lost their lives or faced the trauma of institutional racism. It created a host of emotions and actions across the country and right here in Washington, DC. Last week reminded us and continues to remind us that hate- filled actions have no place in a world where we seek, inclusion, kindness and liberation.
At Girls Global Academy, our focus is on educational justice to ensure that girls have access to opportunities to actualize their dreams.
We know that systemic barriers continue to exist on our path to equity in achievement gaps, STEM and business gaps and life outcomes. This is not separate from pay inequities, which is not separate from food insecurities, which is not separate from health care gaps, which is not separate from forced childhood marriage, which is not separate from domestic violence, which is not separate from police brutality, which is not separate from the impact of the pandemic, which is not separate from the criminalization of girls of color in schools. These are reminders that there is still work to do so that we, together, can build and fight for the future that our girls deserve.
We are building a school based on positive systems that affirm individual identity and uplift our school community. Our students can explore what is possible and create a path to obtain it. If we are to be true to our vision of creating leaders that influence change for global benefit then we must begin to have the dialogue about issues that will have an impact on our students both inside and outside of our physical school structure.
Our mission is to foster pathways to lead and learn so that our school community feels empowered. We want to give voice to what happened and how it impacts a school community. Therefore, we continue daily to uphold our pillars.
Safety: We commit to providing safe spaces to discuss and cultivate mental wellness and self- care because we value people.
Scholarship: We continue to host and join forums for our founding students, families, and staff to dialogue on issues that matter.
Service: We stand with people that work to disrupt and dismantle systems of oppression.
Sisterhood: We honor and celebrate our identity and connection to the local and global society.
The GGA leadership team wanted each of you to know that You Matter and look forward to you joining us to ensure that we are creating pathways for our students to lead and learn maximizing each student’s unique potential.
Here is a resource to support conversations with students at 6:00 pm this evening through Common Sense Media.
Helping Kids Process Violence, Trauma, and Race in a World of Nonstop News
Together,
Karen Venable-Croft, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Girls Global Academy
Shayne Swift, Co-Founder and Principal of Girls Global Academy
Beth Blaufuss, Board Chair of Girls Global Academy
