Elementary school students to portray famous historical women
By Heather Milo
Acorn staff writer

LISA ADAMS/T.O.A. GREAT GIRL OPPORTUNITY-Daniela Moreira, left, as Dolores Huerta, a Mexican American suffragette; Clara Cocco, as Margaret Bourke White, photo journalist; Jessica Avalos as Maya Angelou, poet and writer and Mildred Pech, as Annie Smith Peck, mountain climber, watch Stacie Crittenton and Vicky Hernandez, recite the autobiography of Bette Nesmith Graham during Women in History week at Conejo Elementary School.

Attired in matching poodle skirts and white blouses reminiscent of the fifties, fifth graders Vicky Hernandez and Stacie Crittenton told the story of Bette Nesmith Graham, who was famous for more than rearing famed "Monkey" band member Mike Nesmith—she invented White Out, the liquid used to correct mistakes on paper.

Each March, schools throughout the Conejo Valley celebrate Women’s History Month with costumed presentations that tell the stories of women who have left their mark on society. For 2003, the American Association of University Women presented a packet to teachers to assist them in planning for the celebration of Women’s History Month.

The goals of the project are "to introduce students to the wealth of women’s history often left out of history books and to raise the awareness, competence and confidence of young girls," states an introductory letter from the AAUW. The packet includes scripts, photos, costume tips, prop ideas and references to help with presentations.

Monologues are designed for both single classroom presentations or school assembly. The AAUW project committee recommends if the volunteer pool of presenters does not match the ethnic diversity represented by the monologues, that a presenter display the woman’s picture and present her in the third person, using props and costumes of the same period.

The women to be represented each year are chosen from the book "Profiles of Women Past & Present," published by the AAUW. The Thousand Oaks chapter chooses the women from the publication each year.

Teacher Lori Peters said that in her open classroom program all her girls participate. Two sixth grade classes and two fifth grade classes are participating this year at Conejo Elementary School.

"All these girls were formerly English language learners and now they’re incredible readers," said Peters. "Women in History" not only helps them focus on reading, but it also gives them a chance to work on their public speaking skills.

Parent volunteer coaches Ivy McLeod and Leah Lopez spend time helping the girls practice their presentations, both during lunches and after school. McLeod, who has a background in theater, enjoys the annual event so much that she has participated for the past four years.

Lopez also really got into the project. She brought in an article from Latina magazine, featuring an interview with the daughter of Cesar Chavez. The article made no mention of Dolores Huerta, a political activist and union organizer in her own right.

"My girls [said], ‘Let’s write them a letter!’"

McLeod and Lopez helped the girls with Internet research for their historical studies.

"One of the things we thought was cool was that [Maya Angelou] wrote a poem for Clinton’s inauguration," McLeod said.

The girls began the project about a month ago, and McLeod made available time slots to practice five to six times a week.

Sixth grader Clara Cocco portrayed photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White. Daniela Moreira, 11, represented union organizer Dolores Huerta, who helped California grape workers to get higher wages.

Moreira created a sign for a prop, which said "Isi, si puede," or "Yes, it can be done." Fifth grader Mildred Pech chose mountaineer Annie Smith Peck.

Fifth graders Vicky Hernandez and Stacie Crittenton represented Bette Nesmith Graham, the inventor of White Out (originally called "Mistake-Out"). Fifth grader Jessica Avalos portrayed poet and writer Maya Angelou.

On at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, some of the girls will be making their Women in History presentations at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Westlake Village. The public is invited to attend.