Women’s History Month essay contest deadline is Friday

LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women is seeking entries for the 2023 Women’s History Essay Contest from high school students in private, public, charter and home schools.

The theme is “Your Silence Will Not Protect You,” which is a famous quote from American civil rights leader Audre Lorde, who dedicated her life to confronting racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia through community organizing, writing and teaching.

The contest challenges high schoolers to research a threat to girls and/or gender non-conforming people locally, nationally and/or internationally that they are passionate about, and to formulate potential solutions to this equity and justice issue.

The committee invites students to write a one-page essay answering the question: “What is a social justice issue that impacts girls and/or genders non-conforming persons, and what are potential solutions?”

For essay rules and entry forms, visit the committee website, kauai.gov/kccsw. Essays are due by 5 p.m. Friday, March 31, by email to smuragin@kauai.gov. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive cash prizes.

The Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women is part of the County of Kaua‘i Office of Boards and Commissions and the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, which develops and promotes education, interactive opportunities on issues relating to women and girls, prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, and encouragement of health and wellness awareness.

For more information, contact Sandra Muragin, Office of Boards and Commissions, 808-241-4919 or smuragin@kauai.gov, or visit the committee website at kauai.gov/kccsw.