The Wilde Lake’s Women’s Studies class creates glass plates covered in quotations, portraits, and paintings to honor women in history.
The glass plates project is based on the art exhibit “The Dinner Party” (1974-1979) by Judy Chicago, who is an American feminist artist whose goal was to introduce the richness of women’s heritage into society using art and to celebrate women’s history. The Dinner Party is a ceremonial banquet, arranged on a triangular table with a total of thirty-nine place settings, each commemorating an important woman from history, according to the Brooklyn Museum website, which is where “The Dinner Party” was held.
Women’s studies students at Wilde Lake replicated this art by creating plates based on important women of their choosing. Junior Alana Redmon chose to feature former American politician Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in Congress. She was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American woman to run for president of the United States.
“I chose her because of the recent presidential election. A lot of people were giving hate towards Kamala Harris for just being a woman, and I saw how this is a cycle that repeats itself if you are a woman in politics,” said Alana. “Shirley Chisholm was a stepping stone for race and gender because she showed that you don’t just have to be a white man to succeed in politics.”
Ms. Katherine Volpe, who has taught Women’s Studies for six years, says it is important to acknowledge hard working women in history now because in the past, they were “anonymous.”
“Women make up 50% of the population. Any time in history, women were there. Women were doing things, women were contributing, and for most of history, women were anonymous,” said Ms. Volpe.
Senior and Women’s Studies student Isabella Chamberlain says “it is important to recognize women because, throughout history, they have been so often overlooked by men. It is important to spread their accomplishments, so women of the future have more opportunities to succeed.”
The glass plates midterm helps share the achievements and power of women, both in the past and present, according to Ms. Volpe.
“Women are able to fully participate in society, whether that’s in sports or business or science or leadership. I think sometimes we forget that. Showing that women are capable and have always contributed is important to move towards equality,” said Ms. Volpe.
