By Dayanara Gonzalez and Arnold Ochoa
Caroline Fioramanti (Sponsor), Luis Salazar, Cielo Rangel, and Anindita Farzana
A new school year often brings new clubs to schools; one of these is the Feminist Club, which has the purpose of uplifting, empowering and supporting women through the focus on women’s issues, not only at Pueblo but in the community at large.
The Feminist Club’s advisor, English teacher Ms. Caroline Fioramanti, said that the club will achieve their goals by sharing their ideas publicly and raising awareness through several types of activities and fundraisers.
The club has already gained over 40 members through “word-of-mouth” around school and through her own promotion of the club in her classes. All students are welcome to attend the weekly meetings.
“I wanted a group open to all genders, and the interest has been amazing!” said Fioramanti. “This [students joining] tells me we needed something like the Feminist Club.”
Junior Lailani Figueroa, a member and treasure of the Feminist Club, joined because she believes we should have equal rights for men and women. Figueroa also wants to share information with club members and to help women who might be troubled by women’s issues, as well as to help students initiate peaceful protests and marches and inspiring students to volunteer to help various charities.
Figueroa said, “I advise people come and join the Feminist Club. I want everyone to feel included and respected.”
Certainly, not all members of the club are female.
Senior Armando Soto said that he joined the club because not only does he really like Ms. Fioramanti as an educator, but also because he was interested in what the club could teach him.
“I would say that I really enjoy getting to socialize with the members,” Soto said. “I’m having a lot of fun meeting new people and getting to know more about them.”
Fioramanti said that she started this club because not only has she experienced sexism in her own life but feels very passionate about feminism and women’s issues in the lives of young people.
“We are not at place of equality yet. There is much work to do,” she added.
“I have been involved in a few different feminist clubs in my teaching career, and I truly feel that educating others about feminism is important, especially for young people.”
The meetings are held on Mondays after school from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
“I want everyone to feel safe here [at Pueblo] and in our community,’’ said Fioramanti.