Our GirlsMatter group (Lynette Lazarus and leaders Barbara, Lynette, Rachelle) noticed that the preceding year students painted 10 male sports figures outside the Sharswood Gym. The girls discussed this and decided that it was not fair. Then, to add to not having representation on the wall, the gym teacher was given the directive that no girl would be allowed to play on the Sharswood after school teams. The previous two years there had been no question of girls playing. It was a done deal.

The administration said that the girls could get their own coach or play on another schools team. Our girls rallied together. They approached the principal in writing and in meeting. She said there would be no problem and they could paint 10 girl sports figures on 2006 Martin Luther King Day.

Then one of our girls called and spoke with the head of physical education. The equity issue was addressed and girls played on both the basketball and softball teams. Both girls were an important part of the teams. They scored and were not injured or intimidated by the boys of the other teams, even though some were several years older and of considerable weight and height.

Our GirlsMatter group is a work in progress and we are looking forward to the 2006-2007 school year.