Kauaʻi County seeking student entries for 2023 Women’s History Essay Contest

The Kauaʻi 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 on the island.

This year’s essay contest theme is: “Your silence will not protect you.”

This is a famous quote by American civil rights leader, Audre Lorde (1934-1992), who dedicated her life to confronting racism, sexism, classism and homophobia through community organizing, writing and teaching.

“Your silence will not protect you,” asks high schoolers on Kauaʻi to research a threat to girls and/or gender non-conforming people locally, nationally, and/or internationally that they are passionate about. Then 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 should be emailed to [email protected]. They are due by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2023.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and 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, at 808-241-4919 or [email protected], or visit the committee website at kauai.gov/kccsw.

Anyone needing an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability may contact Anela Segreti at 808-241-4917 or [email protected] as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill any requests. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, braille or electronic copy.