A new elective course at Fauquier High School (FHS) is focusing on the role of women in history in hopes of integrating more respect for minorities in our school community. As of this semester, FHS is offering a Women in History class that highlights female stories throughout history. The class is taught by Annie Glascock, an FHS graduate and seventh-year teacher of social studies. Glascock is giving women the chance to be “main characters” in the story of our past. Many of the students feel that women in history are often overlooked and underrepresented. One senior in the class, Alex Xichohtencatl, notes, “It’s super important to talk about women and their rights.”

According to Glascock, the course has been listed as an option for students for years, yet no one’s ever taught it. When the subject was brought up in meetings, Glascock jumped at the opportunity to teach it. The same course is offered at Liberty High School, but this is the first year it has been a legitimate opportunity for FHS students.

Throughout the semester, Glascock plans on focusing not just on women in general, but specifically on the roles of women in other cultures and the part they play in society. She aims to create an interactive environment that spotlights women’s significance in historical events as well as accomplished women of today. The class is attempting to build respect and understanding while simultaneously sparking the interest of students through its interactive and project-based learning style. Students describe the energy of the class as open but also informative.

While it is relatively small at the moment, the students currently enrolled hope for it to continue being an option and would recommend it to their peers in the future. Glascock also encourages more male participation in the subject saying, “[The class is] really good, specifically for males, to understand what it’s like to be a young woman.” Junior Ashlyn Minor, suggests that this class will improve understanding of the pressure placed on women in our modern world.

Overall, Glascock wants the class to be student-driven and fun. She hopes to help students “have a better understanding of what women have been through and what they still go through today.”