Seniors Natalia Lopez and Kathleen Lewis were inspired by Angelou’s powerful words from her poem “Still I Rise” when creating this year’s edition of Strides Women’s History Month magazine. Sponsored by the National English Honors Society, the magazine recently returned for its second edition and features an array of student prose, poetry, and artwork centered on the theme “Together We Rise”.

“The intention of Strides is to highlight advancements and role models, while also shining a light on issues that matter the most to our generation regarding women’s rights,” said Lopez. “We choose to create this magazine to unite Gulliver’s writers and artists, and to spark a conversation of reflection and purpose.”

The magazine is separated into three sections: “Our Leaders”, “Our Connections”, and “Our Voices”. Each section includes writing and artwork focusing on role models, personal engagement with feminism, and advocacy for women’s issues, respectively.

The 2022 cover art, drawn by senior Margaret Miao, features a series of female historical figures who have contributed to women’s rights, equality, and empowerment today, including Cleopatra, Sacagawea, Rosa Parks, Malala Yousafzai, Amelia Earhart, and more.

“I modeled the cover art after the Monument of Discoveries in Lisbon,” said Miao. “My cover art is designed in the same way, with famous women in history leading the youth [pictured holding the world] at the top, symbolizing how women in history empower us all.”

Topics represented in this year’s edition of Strides range from discrimination in sports, to unrealistic body standards, to the true meaning of “femininity”, and much more.

“We also gave students the platform through our “open prose” prompt in order to shed awareness to issues that are underrepresented or are lost in today’s world,” said Lopez. “We hope you enjoy the Raider community’s hard work!”

Strides 2022: “Together We Rise” can be viewed here.