Women’s History Month 2023
Happy Women’s History Month! To celebrate this special time of year, we want to take a moment to look at the women leading The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) across New York City. Every day, each of our six principals works tirelessly to educate and empower their students, the future history-makers! Keep reading to learn about the unique accolades of each TYWLS school and the advice each principal has for their students inside and outside the classroom.
Principal Allison Persad of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria
Allison Persad is the principal of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria, a STEM-focused school with a college-going culture.
“I empower young future leaders to find their voice, have a sense of agency, know that they are loved, and that we will always support them to find the best opportunities for their future.
If I had to think of a piece of advice for every young leader, I would say, find a tribe! Find a group of young women who want to win as badly as you do, and stop at nothing while you support each other to get to the top.” – Allison
Principal Mala Panday of the Young Women’s Leadership School of Queens
Mala Panday is the principal of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Queens, a school that boasts strong science programs.
“As an immigrant child of a widow, it’s really important that students have a strong sense of self and respect for their histories. All of our young people come from highly resilient and proud cultures. I hope to nourish the concept of inner empowerment by being certain all components of their identities are seen and matter within the school environment.
I would ask that [the future history makers] forever remain a student of the world. I want them to always continue to learn about themselves, their neighborhoods, learn from those with unique experiences, and from people who can bring diversity of thought into their lives.” – Mala
Principal Catherine Mitchell of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Brooklyn
Catherine Mitchell is the principal of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Brooklyn, a school that is known for its fantastic arts program, particularly in music and dance.
Principal Devon Eisenberg of The Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx
Devon Eisenberg is the principal of The Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx, a school dedicated to its inventive STEM initiatives.
“At TYWLS Bronx, we empower educators to empower students. Our educators have the freedom to create curriculum that meets the needs of our students and ensure that our students are reflected in the curriculum. By giving our students the opportunity to see themselves in the curriculum, our students are able to see that they too can make history.
My advice to future history-makers is to be you, make the change in the world that needs to happen, you matter. Make your voices heard, and don’t take no for an answer. And have fun while you are doing it!” – Devon
Principal Colleen McGeehan of The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem
Colleen McGeehan is the principal of The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem, the first TYWLS school to open its doors in 1996!
“Our work is to provide a rich learning environment so that our students have experiences that both challenge and nourish them to be lifelong learners.
My best advice to the future history-makers is to say yes to opportunity and take chances to develop your gifts; the world needs them!” – Colleen
Principal Aisha Shepard of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Staten Island
Aisha Shepard is the principal of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Staten Island, our newest TYWLS school that opened with its founding class of 60 sixth graders in the Fall of 2022. The opening of TYWLS Staten Island now means that there is a TYWLS school in every borough of New York City!
Keep up with our Women’s History Month campaign on Instagram, and learn more about The Young Women’s Leadership Schools.
