An all-girls dance during homecoming week 2019 at Oak Lawn Community High School offered female students a chance to let their hair — and for Muslim students, their hijabs — down.
It proved to be a popular concept, and the Spartan Sisterhood club, which started the dance in 2019, now includes dozens of girls from all walks of life who appreciate the opportunity to gather and socialize without the pressures that come with potential courtship.
“I like to be in a space I’m safe in, especially women taking power, doing different activities,” said club member Ina Gonzalez, a junior. “I feel like it’s really good for the school.”
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The club meets early Thursday mornings and attendance is typically strong. Members discuss whatever is on their minds, make inspirational posters and decorate displays of women who inspire them, including their teachers, for Women’s History Month.
“The teachers get to see which students look up to them … it’s lovely,” said Shatha Odeh, an English teacher at the school, who cofounded and runs the club with Sophie Black, who teaches consumer education.
Back in 2019 when the girls’ dance started, the organizers were pleased to find out dozens of girls wanted to attend.
“We have many students who dress modestly and are often excluded from these activities for school spirit,” said Odeh. “It turned into something where all girls from all backgrounds wanted to attend.”
“It’s so inclusive,” Black added.
The organizers also conduct drives for feminine hygiene products, including an effort during the pandemic gathering products the girls usually could get from school restrooms. That drive included posting a wish list on Amazon.
“We got so many people who wanted to contribute from all over the world,” Odeh said.
These days, members bake cookies, bring breakfast and eat together, and give sashes to seniors to celebrate their accomplishment.
Being in extracurricular clubs was new to Khulud Abukhroub, a senior who had attended school in the Palestinian territories, where there weren’t many such opportunities. She was delighted to join an all-girls club.
“I like how it feels like a small family,” she said.
Sujood Abukhroub, her sister and a sophomore, said she could relate to club sponsor Odeh, when they talked about what was happening in the Palestinian territories and other issues.
“She was telling us how we can help ourselves and be financially independent,” Sujood said. “That we should not always listen to men.”
They also recently held a Women in STEM presentation, promoting fields in science, technology, engineering and math.
“That was so cool, I learned a lot,” said Zaynab Karabegovic. “It changed my whole thought of it.”
Odeh and Black said one of the overriding concepts of the club is to help female students to recognize their potential and speak up confidently when they had a question or point to make, not apologizing for needing help.
“That they are beautiful in and out and they can stop apologizing for existing,” Odeh said.
“We try to be very flexible because we want them to feel welcome,” said Black.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.