2020 Girl Power Contest Winners

Elementary School First Place: Gena Hyson, Age 10

The Barriers Women of the world today hold the titles of doctors, scientists, authors, engineers, politicians, business owners, educators and the list continues. However, women are still restricted from the things they are told not to do. I know, I know, they have the right to vote, and the right to be what they dream of, these accomplishments weren’t easy to overcome but barriers still stand in the way of our hopes and dreams. It’s hard to admit that there are indeed still some barriers that women face everyday. “What are these so called barriers,” some may be thinking? Ever heard of the book, A Wrinkle In Time? First, they thought the author, Madeleine L’Engle was crazy to put a girl as the main character in a science fiction novel! Publishers rejected her writing time and time again but L’Engle persisted on her idea and guess what? Her book became a New York Times best-seller! Some thought that would never occur during her publishing era. Guess they were wrong huh? Another barrier is that women still have a lack of power, due to others little belief in their leadership capabilities. These roles can range from government positions to becoming the principal for a school. Furthermore, traditional patriarchy is another barrier. Men or the father of the house make all of the rules and decisions. Sounds unfair that this barrier still stands? We must show a cultural mindset, an awareness of cultural differences, that men aren’t always above women in everything. I’m not saying that all men think that today, but some of them do. We should shift our thinking to the next time a woman runs for president or even wants to run a business; support her and encourage her efforts. Whether it takes a whole community, or just one social media share. In addition, ending occupational segregation must be a priority for a new cultural mindset. Why are we still asking, “Oh, she’s going to be a police officer? Should we even hire a woman?” Social framework is another one. Let me give you some examples. -“We need someone who is going to be tough.” -“We didn’t think you would want that much responsibility.” -“But you're so good at taking notes.” -“I need you to plan the office birthday parties.”

Elementary School Honorable Mention Sabrina Williams, Age 7 Video

Middle School First Place Winner: Bella Berrellez, Age 12 “Cages” By: Bella Berrellez I feel like a caged bird unable to fly free Trapped by those who won’t let me breath Those who won’t let me just be Those who try and change me And won’t let me fly free These people tell me I can’t wear certain things Or look a certain way Just because some people can’t act the right way I shouldn’t have to change me Just so these people will leave me be These boys should know we’re not toys They should know how to behave And not to make too much noise They should know they can’t touch us like that Or call us those names. I shouldn’t have to be caged just so these people get their way I shouldn’t have to change how I look so their not shook I want to be free I want to be me I can break these chains that hold me tight The ones that won’t let me take flight I can do this by telling people it’s not right By spreading the word and gaining the might To battle through this fight So other girls like me could one day fly free And won’t be stuck in these cages and chains And won’t be held to unfair expectations we’ll be ourselves and won’t be held in our cages Instead be soaring through the sky exceeding the expectations

Middle School Honorable Mention: Ayza Siddigi, Age 12 https://youtu.be/My66Rp3W-IU Honorable Mention: Evyia Makrodimitri, Age 12

High School First Place: Consuela Watts, Age 16 The Challenges We Face And What We Can Do To Replace Tarana Burke. Malala Yousafzai. Serena Williams. Rihanna. Susan B. Anthony. Harriet Tubman. Sojourner Truth. Mary Edwards Walker. Marie Curie. Sarah Breedlove. Margaret Sanger. Amelia Airheart. Rosa Parks. Shirley Chisholm. Mae Jemison. You may wonder… what did these women do ? They are all women But what do I have to lose Are they in juxtaposition And why should I listen? Well really… I can’t promise, To be honest They have anything in common, Different races, Ages, Creeds, Faces, All scrambled, But beneath that You must see Every genuine act of greatness Helped us get where we are today It paved the way for our access In so many fields Schooling, business, politics, rights, philanthropy, No one else would. So they took the wheel, Even when things got hard No rewards or meals They kept on pushing And Eventually sealed the deal So you probably think “great” “Works done now” “So I’ll sit on my high horse, And my throne, With a crown” Listen… we are still underpaid, molested, and abused Often taken out of a position because they feel we are confused

Still lacking representation, and used as sexual props in media Even though a lot of us are walking encyclopedias Still not good enough to be the president Let alone be a resident of an apartment Sex trafficking is high and we are the main department, Unfortunately. So girl, You can't think like that The work is not done And even when we are finished And the war is won We must continue fighting And standing tall because Nothing good ever happened, to a soul who did nothing at all So I’ll take one from the greats and apply it to this And I want you to hear it , So listen closely sis’. Ask not what your sisters can do for you , But what you can do for your sisters. We all work together. We’ll be equal to the misters. One day. Honorable Mention: Tariana Tucker Prove Myself Born As A Female I was born to prove myself As a male, I’m already halfway there As A Little Girl I’m seen as cute and adorable But never a leader of my country My friend, he’s already the next president But I have to prove myself As A Teenage Girl I’m being influenced while choosing my path Girls want to be artist, designers, and teachers While I want to be CEO of my company But they ask, “Don’t you want to do what you're best at?” Why can’t my best get me on top? As A Young Lady I’ve chosen to be a lawyer Sitting in a class with only men Sitting here trying to prove myself Prove Myself?

To Who? Who’s watching my every move that I have to prove myself? I was put in a mindset To Prove Myself From the time I was shown what boys do and what girls do To prove that I could do the same Prove Myself? To Whom? To the little girl who wanted to be a astronaut To the teenage girl who wanted to be president and see her country succeed To Me The one who wanted to see limits broken Prove to Myself that I can do it Honorable Mention: Yoksha Muruganantham We all are human: We all may not be women But we all are human And we make mistakes The greatest one being What we’re overlooking Women have no place It wasn’t till 1920 On that August 18th When finally we made progression We were denied our vote But we all spoke So came the 19th Amendment Men and Women are far more equal Than their past, ever so evil But things STILL need to change Yes we have jobs, can vote, and are educated Yet in society, we are still understated We can’t even get equal pay Women are less represented Everywhere, but I don’t understand it We can do what they can We are talented, dedicated, hard working Then why aren’t things changing? Time to take a stand

Who said we’re inferior? Who said they’re superior? Enough is enough We may be unique, but we’re not different Humans are humans We need to come together, we’re never giving up We’ve been given the power to feel Right from wrong, we can see So let’s show those who cannot Using our strength, our voice We all, together, have a choice Let’s clear up this blind spot A rally, a gathering, marching down the street Holding our souls, and what we believe Every person counts, no one who tries is a fool Cause we may be not all be women But we all are human Let’s try to change the rules Honorable Mention: Lara Ojha Her baby lies motionless under fluorescent blue light. Runnels mark the passage of sorrow over her tired cheeks. The pantomime of beeps and whistles from respirators echo in the eerily quiet room; tubes come in and out of him as he sleeps, all too peacefully. This premature, his respiratory organs are not developed. She will have to stay in the hospital with him for months. Long, strenuous months filled with the emotional turmoil of fear on top of the intensely meaningful beginning of motherhood. A period of time for which she will not be paid. On her third birthday, her aunt gave her the Tintin comic set - 24 tales of a journalist traveling the world, fighting bad guys, and uncovering societal truths. Detailed drawings of great ships, Arabian streets, and monolithic mountains encouraged her to learn to read. It was like taking a sledgehammer to a brick wall, showing her that if Tintin could traverse the world, she could do it twice as well. Little girls would look up to her. Her pride in leading her high school newspaper, her thrill to be at her dream college, all shadowed in this darkened room. She competed fiercely for internships in investigative journalism, eager to establish herself as a strong, intelligent woman. She was able to. She worked on the ground in perilous, often war-ridden communities. Many advised her against such danger as a young woman. It was her choice, and she politely dismissed concerns from family and friends. She was able to. She fiercely gained skills and invaluable experience. As a 21st century woman, she had incredible opportunities which she eagerly pursued to the limits. She was able to. An alarm goes off on the baby’s heart monitor. She scrambles for the nearest doctor, who rushes in with a stethoscope. She bites her nails, immaculately manicured to celebrate her recent promotion - higher pay and more opportunities. However, her position as an award-winning reporter, one that she had worked for tirelessly, does not offer paid maternity leave.

Leaving her sick baby to go back to work is simply not an option. The assignments that she has cultivated will go to another person. The security of her job is at risk the longer she is gone. As a mother, her primary concern is to stay with her child, to watch him recover and grow, as mothers have done for eons. But as she stays at the hospital with her utterly dependent child, the foundation that she has built for her career slowly, yet inexorably, erodes. She cannot take advantage of opportunities that American women fought for 100 years ago because society does not adequately account for the biological demands placed on women. If she lived in Estonia or Japan or Sweden, where paid maternity leave is required, she would be fine. But she lives in America. Here, dedication to her child collides with her ability to maintain her professional life. As long as this is true, we have lots of work to do.

Adults First Place: Mariam Yaldram

Honorable Mention: Christine O’Connell

The Little Yellow Canary There once was a canary, Since she was a baby, She was told she was pretty. And that was all she would be. Why can’t my owner see? There is so much more to me? Mr. Nearsight said: “Come sit by my side, What a prize for my eye. For, in your beauty, Your value resides.” Little Yellow began to twirp, So he replied: “You’re such a pretty little thing, Don’t bother to sing. Beauty is enough, The world out there is quite rough. Stay in your seat, And I will give you another treat.” Alone in her cage, She developed quite a rage. That night she broke free, Flew down to the trees. Determined to be, More than just pretty. Soon, she found a melodious sound, A baritone sang alone. And at night by candlelight, He played the piano, While she perched at his window. Little Yellow joined his song, Right away she belonged. By day her voice would ring, Accolades her sound would bring.

Mr. Baritone said: “You have the right stuff, Your song is more than enough. What fame you will win, All because you can sing. What more could you want? Now, practice on the spot!” At night, she felt affright, Back into a cage. Again, she began to rage. I’m so much more she thought, Than a songbird who’s been caught. In here, I’m going to rot. She broke out of the cage, Flew out the window, Feeling saved. Until, an old fellow caught Little Yellow: “You’re such a quick bird, It may seem absurd, But I think the zoo, Would be happy to get ahold of you.” They put her in the aviary. Behind the glass, No one could hear her song, And for a loving pat she longed. Though it was a big cage, It still filled her with rage. Out of a skylight, She took flight into the starry night. She settled in a tree, Wondering, “will I ever be free, To celebrate all that is me?” The next day on the street, She heard a beat. A troop of dancers twirled, Around them a crowd swirled.

She sang and she flew around the crew, Soon, they cheered for her too. She came and she went, Without anyone’s consent. Later, another little canary joined her in a tree, And admired all she could be. “Can I sit by your side? I love how you glide. You’re so much more than pretty, You’re strong, independent, and swift. Look at all your gifts.” They flew from tree to tree, Seeing all the world while free. They enjoyed flying adrift, Never caged, no bar to lift. Little Yellow taught all the tots: “Never believe the fable that there’s merit in a label. Pretty isn’t enough, Talent isn’t all, Work isn’t life. Each piece is a part, Without the whole lot, I wouldn’t be me. And, never give anyone your key, The world has a lot to offer, cage free.”

Honorable Mention: Makeda Richardson It is the “soul of a woman” that transcends throughout our world as the courageously great leaders, innovatively ambitious business owners, compassionate and beloved mothers, grandmothers and caregivers, knowledgeable, dependable and determined organizational contributors, educators and creators, endearingly loving life partners, wives, and committed significant beings, and attentively supportive friends, confidants and community providers. Phenomenal women. It is the “soul of a woman” that loves with boundless strength and unwavering selflessness. A journey with no end. It is the “soul of a woman” that obligates her to the support and care of others. The vicious cycle of self-neglect. It is the “soul of a woman” which we all admire and benefit. Respect and protect. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote, we must do the work to protect and support the physical, mental and spiritual care of all women. Bringing awareness to the dynamic journeys of phenomenal women, and creating a culture that celebrates their successes, acknowledges their challenges and cares for their overall well-being, will promote the practice of self-care and address some of the issues identified in The Voices of Maryland Women’s Listening Tour & Survey Report. Our “Call to Action is to: • Lift up community awareness and understanding of the value of the “soul of a woman” by uplifting the voices of phenomenal women. I would develop and co-host a podcast by and for women; creating a space for the stories of phenomenal women to be told, captured and shared. • Support women to actively engage in the practice of self-care through community development and engagement. I would create a professionally friendly network, representative of phenomenal women and their allies, that promotes and supports the physical, mental and spiritual care, communication, and encouragement of its members.

• Build a culture that gives homage to the soul and care of women by leveraging the voices of women, and the power of the network, to build capacity within the local and political culture for support of the physical, mental and spiritual care of women as an essential necessity for all communities. I am woman, hear my call!