Discourse or Deliberation?

DISCOURSE or DELIBERATION? DISCOURSE or DELIBERATION?

Students Participate in Empowering Female Voices Empowering Female Voices Civic Engagement Program for Girls

By Erika Page, History Teacher

My most cherished holiday memories are of sitting around the dinner table and discussing the world and how we interact with it. Although I sometimes needed lessons in how to deliberate rather than debate, those discussions have always been invaluable. As a teacher, I strive to provide my students with the same kind of supportive and safe space, and I knew immediately that Empowering Female Voices would be just that.

Empowering Female Voices (EFV) is an initiative from the Close Up Foundation and the Hockaday Institute for Social Impact. Inspired by the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women’s suffrage and with the aim “to help students develop empathy for the perspectives of others and build the skills and confidence to empower a generation of female change-makers by engaging girls from different backgrounds in meaningful dialogue,” this program is perfectly aligned with Foxcroft’s 2020-21 cocurricular theme, “Use Your Voice for Good: Civic Service and Social Action.”

Seniors Elsie Rose and Hays Turner, sophomores Avery Hazard, Danielle Perkins, and Olivia Warr, and freshmen Sarah Ford, Sofia Ring, and Mimi Walker met twice a week for six weeks. There were six online workshops, each followed by debriefing sessions with fellow history teacher John Scharfenberg and me.

The first session was a great introduction to civil discourse — specifically the difference between debate (a forum

Continued on page 18.

(l to r) Elsie Rose ’21, Hays Turner ’21, Danielle Perkins ’23, Olivia Warr ’23, Sarah Ford ’24, Sofia Ring ’24, Mimi Walker ’24, and history teachers Erika Page and John Scharfenberg.

SARAH FORD ’24 & OLIVIA WARr ’23 Use Their VOICES FOR GOOD VOICES FOR GOOD

on National Stages

As a result of their participation in the Empowering Female Voices (EFV) program, freshman Sarah Ford and sophomore Olivia Warr were invited to speak during sessions for the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) and the Women and Politics Forum, respectively. “The experience I had presenting my thoughts to the group was phenomenal m because I was talking about what I am passionate about and what I want to make a change in,” explained Sarah about her role in the NCGS webinar. “It was even better that I got to share my thoughts as a representative of Foxcroft School because I am proud of my school and want to reflect well on it.” “Participating in the [Women and Politics Forum] was exciting,” offered Olivia. “There were so many powerful and influential women present who have had incredible experiences. I was proud to represent Foxcroft and share my passion as an advocate for mental health awareness!” The feeling of pride is reciprocal. “I get choked up whenever I hear ng

al It y oft my students speak,” shared my students speak,” shared History teacher Erika Page. History teacher Erika Page. “I know how brilliant they “I know how brilliant they are in the classroom, are in the classroom, and I'm really proud and I'm really proud when I get to hear them when I get to hear them speak so confidently.” speak so confidently. ”

What an exciting and What an exciting and meaningful meaningful way to experience way to experience this year’s this year’s co-curricular theme! • co-curricular theme!

CIVIL DISCOURSE &

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Abound

Throughout the school year, History teacher Erika Page and Foxcroft students have participated in what would eventually become a multi-session, year-long Empowering Female Voices (EFV) program.

“It’s been an honor to participate in these programs with Close Up Foundation,” offered Page. “I went into it in October with no idea how this kind of online initiative might work, but quickly recognized the value of a safe space to discuss tough issues.”

As discussed in her article, the first session offered multiple workshops on civil discourse leading up to the presidential election. A second session focused on the President’s First 100 Days with workshops on researching and deliberating critical policy issues, as well as ways to take action on the issues that matter most to them. The third centered on understanding issues touching on justice, equity, and belonging. It began in late spring and ran through the end of the school year.

Ultimately, Page and her students were asked to take part in the pilot program for A Starting Point (ASP) Homeroom, an online teaching tool offering cross-cultural and interactive lessons and learning opportunities between different schools, communities, and states on issues surrounding government and politics.

As a result, freshmen Madison Burget, Eva Bret Cozby, Sarah Ford, and Marley Frederick were invited to ask questions during a live ASP Homeroom event with Texas Representatives Micheal McCaul and Henry Cuellar, and program creators Chris Evans and Mark Kassen. ASP even sent a small crew (three people, masked and following Foxcroft protocols) to film Page and her students as they used the ASP Homeroom tool.

“Our students have had a lot of opportunities,” reflects Page. “They've been asked to present to national audiences of girls from all over the country, audiences of teachers and administrators who sought more information about the programs, women politicians who gave suggestions regarding policy plans, two Texas Representatives, and the co-founders of ASP... In each and every situation, our students have been confident, polished, and brilliant! I'm incredibly proud and honored to be part of this with our fantastic students.” • for defending one’s position) and deliberation (everyone listens to other opinions with an open mind). Ensuring that students understood, intellectually and in practice, the difference between the two terms was integral to the program’s success and each session was very closely moderated with attention to these values. In fact, several of the students participating from Foxcroft were so open to new ideas that they changed their minds about policies during sessions.

As a single-sex school, Foxcroft assures that our girls thrive by encouraging them to stretch their comfort zones, assume leadership roles, and try new things — like this program. It is such a part of our nature at Foxcroft that we sometimes don’t realize not everyone receives that kind of encouragement. As Hays Turner ’21 observed, “... a member from another school explained to our group how much these meetings meant to her. She told us that she gets shut down regularly when she tries to share her ideas at her own co-ed school. It is easy to forget that not everyone has the same opportunities that we share in our environment here at Foxcroft. We are so lucky to be a part of such a supportive community.”

Many political topics were discussed leading up to the election, including healthcare and criminal justice reform. The most common complaint heard from students was that they didn’t have enough time to discuss each topic as much as they would have liked.

In our fifth session, students had the opportunity to interact with female leaders in various fields. There was so much inspiration in those sessions — not just coming from the current leaders, but also from our students: the future leaders!

“Listening to [the CEO of Johnson & Johnson] was very inspiring because regardless of the fact that we were complete strangers, I was able to ask her some of my many questions and recognize our similarities as hardworking women,” shared Mimi Walker ’24. "As a businesswoman, she was surpassed by many men in her field — even if she was more skillful. Nevertheless, she continued on and worked even harder for her success, which is more impressive to me. I’m so thankful that Foxcroft made this experience possible for me and my peers.” In the final session, students developed plans for future advocacy, brainstorming on the following questions (with a very structured exchange during which students built on what their peers stated): What issue are they interested in pursuing, what do they need to know about it, who can help, and what are their next steps?

“One of the issues that I feel strongly about is climate change and trying to save our planet,” offered Sarah Ford ’24. ...we can actually start to make a change in the world...

“Since we are in the middle of a pandemic, it is kind of hard to get a lot done, but we all seemed to agree that just spreading awareness online through social media would be the easiest and most effective method of making a change for right now. I thought this was a good wrap-up for our time together, because after deliberating all of the issues, now we can actually start to make a change in the world, even if it is just here in our Foxcroft community.” The EFV program has been invaluable to Foxcroft students. Even though most of the students who participated aren’t yet able to vote, with their newfound tools for discourse and knowledge around how to think about social movement and policy, their participation in social change can still go forward! Students can use music, peaceful protest marching, art, social media, fundraising, dance, volunteering, writing, and other media to begin to effect change. •

X