Building peace makers at John Muir

Members of a campus club at John Muir that focuses on domestic and global issues facing women today recently had the opportunity to meet some inspiring women from across the globe at the Women PeaceMakers Workshop at USD’s Institute for Peace and Justice.

Students listened to and engaged in conversation with women leaders and defenders of peace from countries such as Pakistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Sudan and India. They listened to stories and accomplishments of the speakers and participated by asking questions, writing letters of solidarity to earthquake victims in Pakistan, and meeting other students from San Diego and Baja California.

“The keynote speakers were beyond inspiring,” said junior Angelica Marsigan. “They made me feel as if I could accomplish anything and that I could contribute greatly as a female leader in our world.”

Members of the Girls Impacting and Realizing Liberation in Society club attended the event. Started last year by former John Muir student, Casey Leyes, G.I.R.L.S. is a campus club focusing on domestic and global issues that face girls and women today.

The club works to empower middle- and high school-aged students to be change makers in society while providing opportunities for involved students to connect with local and international advocates for the progress of girls and to champion women’s causes themselves.

Students learn about and participate in campaigns related to the sexualization of women in the media, women in politics, women in religion, human trafficking, education of girls, and the oppression/progress of women around the globe.

Eighth-grader Lily French says what she likes best about G.I.R.L.S. is “the fact that we are learning about things that are happening to girls around the world and helping them in our own way.”

Long-time John Muir partner, WorldLink, a program that connects students with global affairs, helped the G.I.R.L.S. club members attend the Women PeaceMakers Workshop.

For more information about the G.I.R.L.S. club, contact Barbara Magoffin at John Muir. For more information on the event speakers, please visit the event website.