By Haley Serrano
March is more than a month on the calendar—it is a reminder that women are everywhere, constantly nurturing, leading, and strengthening our society. From science labs to basketball courts, from studios to the White House, women are influencing the world in ways we see everyday even if we don't always stop to notice. Too often, history is taught as something that's distant and happened years ago. But history is still happening. It's unfolding in real time through innovation, leadership, creativity, and perseverance. Women shouldn't just be confined to history textbooks; they are the people who are building our society actively and actively creating history.
On courts and fields across the country, women are changing the landscape for athletics. For years women’s sports received less coverage and fewer resources all around. But today that narrative has begun to shift. Athletes like Caitlyn Clark have drawn viewer-ship, sold out arenas, and garnered national attention for not just only the WNBA, but for women athletes in general. Clark's impact truly goes beyond breaking records.
At the high school level, this impact is also significant. Girls’ sports teams continue to grow in competitiveness and participation, creating a place for females in the sports environment. Here at Nyack, some of our very own Redhawks are amazing representatives of women in sports: Emily Rodriguez, a senior who became the first-ever state champion wrestler in her weight class and is committed to play Division II lacrosse at Pace University; Ella Gould, a senior lacrosse player committed to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Michigan; and Ms. Mannion, one of our P.E. teachers, who is a multiple Ironman and marathon finisher. These women in sports exist everywhere—even next to you in class. The rise in attention to women's sports isn't just about entertainment but it's about equity, opportunity, and the normalization of women succeeding in competitive environments.
In science and technology, women are shaping the future in ways that directly affect daily lives. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the technology that allows computers and machines to learn from large sets of data, recognize patterns, and make decisions. From the algorithms behind social media feeds to voice assistants and medical imaging tools, AI influences how we communicate, learn, and even receive healthcare today. Computer scientist Fei-Fei Li has been a leading voice in the development of artificial intelligence. Beyond advancing research, she emphasizes creating technology that is ethical and human-centered. Her work highlights an important reality: innovation is not just about speed and efficiency, but responsibility.
The devices we use for schoolwork, the platforms we interact with daily, and the information we consume are all shaped by technological advancements. Women in STEM are not working in distant labs disconnected from society; they are helping design the digital world that surrounds us. Women in STEM continue to expand their presence in fields such as artificial intelligence, engineering, medicine, and environmental science contributing to findings that shape everyday life.
Leadership and representation matter. Decisions made in government shape education, healthcare, civil rights, and economic opportunity. When women hold positions of power it broadens the perspectives reflected in those decisions.
As the first female Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris represents a historic milestone. Her election marked progress in a field long dominated by men. While representation does not solve every challenge, it expands possibility and shows future generations that leadership is attainable. During Harris's time in office she served a leadership role, having a strong influence on national policy and public discourse. And not just only having a political influence, her role has given young girls a visible example of female leadership at the highest level of government. Her leadership has expanded what young women can envision for their own futures.
Women's History Month is not only a reflection of the past but it is a recognition of the present. The athletes breaking records, the scientists building technology, the artists shaping cultures, and the leaders guiding policy are not distant figures in textbooks. They are the living proof that women continue to shape every part of our society. So when you find yourself thinking about the meaning of this month, look around! In our classrooms, on our screens, and in our communities, women are influencing the world every single day. They are all around us–we just have to notice.