Empowered Women and Empowering Women

In March, we celebrate Women's History Month. 

We recognize the great contributions that women have made to our nations. Ever since they received the right to vote through the 19th amendment in 1920 up until today, where women are still fighting to have a voice and be treated equally to men.

Hannah Testa, a 16-year-old Georgia girl, is the CEO and founder of Hannah4Change, a nonprofit that fights for the protection of animals and the environment. She sees the problems that are arising due to pollution and wants to make a difference.

Testa wants to educate people about the dangers of harming the Earth. Moreover, her accomplishments have shown who she is and who she wants to be in the future. Testa has created an identity for herself, in which she wants to help change the world for the better.

Ever since she was a child, she's had an interest in the environment. Testa and her family have cleaned beaches and have participated in marches.

"There's not much of a future at all if we don't speak up," said Testa.

Her hard work has definitely not gone unnoticed. Hannah has worked with Georgia Sen. Michael Williams to create a "Plastic Pollution Awareness Day" at the state Capitol. She's also spoken at a United Nations World Oceans Day event and was named 'Teen Earth Day Hero' by CNN.

"It's really inspirational to see so many young people realize they have a voice and a duty to speak up," Testa said, "We are sick and tired of being pushed in a corner and told to wait your turn."

To conclude, this special month not only celebrates the empowerment of women, but it also allows us as females to express ourselves and create our own identities. In addition, this relates to one of the eight values of free expression- individual self-fulfillment.

These topics relate because we are implementing how important women are to society and how every female is different and unique within their own ways. The first amendment and its values are significant to how we act and live our daily lives.

Overall, Women's History Month is "a reminder of how far we've come and how far we still have to go to ensure equal representation here and across the country. Let's recommit to getting more women involved- on their school board, on their city council, on their planning commission, or anywhere else where we're missing their voice... It's up to us to keep showing up, keep fighting for what we believe in, and keep working to ensure our voices are heard."