The essay contest announced Tuesday by West Hartford’s three female state representatives is open to Conard and Hall high school students and submissions are due March 18.

Submitted

On the first day of Women’s History Month, State Reps. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), Tammy Exum (D-West Hartford, Avon, Farmington), and Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford), members of West Hartford’s first all women delegation to the state House of Representatives, are announcing an essay contest open to Hall High School and Conard High School students.

Students may choose one of the following two prompts:

• Who is the most influential woman in your life today and why?
• Who is your favorite woman in history and why?

Participating students must submit their essay by March 18, 2022. Students can submit their essays to [email protected] using the subject line “Essay Contest.”

The top essay from each school will be announced by Gilchrest, Exum, and Farrar on March 31, 2022.

“It is so important for women and girls to see themselves represented in our history,” said Gilchrest. “This Women’s History Month, I am so excited to learn from the students at Hall and Conard high schools about the most influential women in their lives and who their favorite women in history are.”

“Women’s History Month allows us the opportunity to both recognize and celebrate the contributions of women throughout time, while amplifying the voices of those whose contributions are often overlooked, including women of color,” said Exum. “Hopefully, by participating in this essay contest, students will uncover stories of women they’d never heard of and be inspired.”

“Women’s History Month offers the opportunity for us all to recognize and reflect on women’s contributions and build a more inclusive perspective of our shared history,” said Farrar. “We hope this essay contest challenges students to think critically about how the women in their lives or throughout history have impacted our personal and collective experience.”

Women’s History Month begins on March 1, 2022 and celebrates women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. It has been observed in the United States annually during the month of March since 1987.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.