West Springfield High School's elective Women's History class created a display “celebrating and bringing awareness to what it means to be a young woman today at West Springfield High School and in the world.” They created A-Z artwork to represent full range of the experience of girls and women.  Some of the display refers to sensitive but relevant topics, such as "A is for Abortion" (also "A is for Athlete"), but they are genuine and showed that students know their opportunities should be limitless and that they hope to be triumphant over challenges placed in their path. The full display avoided politics, but focused on the experience of women.

Unsurprisingly, Stephanie Lundquist-Arora, who works for Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), a tax-free anti-feminist charity with over $7 million 2023 revenue, spoke out against the display and contributed to the Daily Signal opinion piece that targeted the Women’s History students’ hall display and ignited her base of groups that have been declared extremist hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.  In the article, Moms for Liberty claims that the display is a result of "a mental disorder, like thinking you're transgender".

We are asking FCPS parents, students, and staff to send note of thanks and encouragement to the West Springfield HS principal and other FCPS leadership affirming this student-led project.  Despite claims from extremist groups, this is a thought exercise and example of free speech in which students expressed their views on issues affecting women today - NOT 'indoctrination'.

For a detailed article about the display and involvement by wealthy opposition groups and dark money, please see the well-researched 4PE article by Vanessa Hall.  Please send your support to West Springfield!