Yo, Miss! (No. 60)

Remembering The Ladies and How We Can Keep Marching

Over the past year, I have had the honor of creating a series of History Lessons videos for Share My Lesson, the American Federation of Teachers website.

When I began this project in December 2023, my goal was to shine a spotlight on female historical figures who are often overlooked or glossed over in history classes. The themes of women’s resilience, innovation and advocacy are interwoven throughout the 30-plus lessons I have created so far. From lessons about Ida B. Wells to Sonia Sotomayor, these stories not only provide better insight into the past, but can also inspire action toward a more equitable society.

In the United States, we have made tremendous progress in creating a more inclusive view of history, even as many states grapple with challenges like book bans and “divisive concepts” laws. My hope is that these quick, informative videos can serve as a resource for students and teachers seeking a richer, more representative history beyond classroom walls.

I write more about my series here:

As we face Trump 2.0, it's clear that Project 2025 was always THE plan. Watching his Cabinet take shape—stacked with a who's who of alleged criminals, grifters, and proponents of Project 2025—leaves little doubt about what to expect in the next four years.

We can’t give up in our fight to defend our democracy, and events like the 25th Annual David Dinkins Leadership and Public Policy Forum are powerful reminders of the work ahead. This past week, I had the honor of attending this inspiring gathering, where prominent leaders explored the intersection of policy, education, and civic engagement—key tools in our battle against misinformation and the erosion of democratic values.

The keynote address by Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, underscored the critical role of education in fostering informed citizens and combating the rampant misinformation we can expect from Trump and his followers. Her insights, along with the roundtable discussion featuring Michael Nutter, Ester Fuchs, and the leadership of Hillary Clinton in introducing the forum, highlighted the urgent need to innovate how we share information and engage communities. Defending democracy will require collaboration across sectors, with education as a cornerstone in empowering citizens to navigate the complexities of truth and advocacy.

They both emphasized the importance of states serving as laboratories of democracy and the necessity of agency and resilience in defending our federal institutions. Randi drew on lessons from the past to inspire and energize our efforts as we navigate the challenges of Trump 2.0.

What resonated with me most was the reminder to never give up and to recognize that we still have agency.

Supporting one another is essential as we work to protect our democratic institutions and safeguard our republic.

What are your plans as we approach Trump 2.0? Comment below and also follow me on Bluesky.