Plainfield East High School is home to many clubs and activities for students to participate in. These clubs range from the relaxing clubs to the activism at Club Women Empowerment (WE). 

The club, sponsored by  history teacher Mrs. Erin Janozik-McGinnis focuses on gender equality. Their goal is to promote fairness and kindness throughout not only the building, but the surrounding community.

“The mission statement is: ‘We aim to empower those who feel like they are less heard in our school and we aim to empower and improve gender equity in our school and community,” said Janozik-McGinnis, club sponsor. 

Club WE meets once a month on Fridays to discuss various issues and opportunities that arise. Each meeting has a theme chosen by club leaders, who also choose quotes to discuss. The meetings are followed by a small lesson about a topic surrounding gender equality or feminism.

Meetings are run by club leaders, junior and Co-President Grace Kelliher being a key figure in organization. Her passion for the club is rooted in personal experience as well as a desire for advocacy. 

“Throughout a lot of my life I’ve faced a lot of sexism, especially in sports. There’s always that comparison of ‘Oh, softball is so much easier than baseball, guys have it so much harder’ so I think I just want to show that women do have to work twice as hard,” said Kelliher.

Alongside a devotion to activism, Kelliher is motivated by her grandmother and current female figures who have inspired her to spark a change. She uses her role models as examples of female leadership in order to bring Club WE to success in their monthly discussions.

“We try to focus on a lot of current events. When we first met this year, we talked about women in Congo,” said Kelliher. “We just spread awareness for things that are happening to women all around the world.”

Kelliher describes the current state of gender equality as a “growing” concept, and the community surrounding Club WE as “passionate.” To Janozik-McGinnis gender equality issues persist and hopes to use the club as a space to advocate for change.

“I think the state of gender equality in our country, and world, is at risk. The overturning of Roe v. Wade hit me hard in 2022 with the Dobbs ruling,” said Janozik-McGinnis, “Additionally, the current administration’s desire to ban trans people in the military is an attack on the Americans who want to serve our country. It’s shameful.”

Club WE continues to spread awareness on issues surrounding gender equality; a goal Kelliher has in mind is to grow and expand the club into something beyond the building.

“I hope it continues to grow and I hope we have leaders that are passionate each year. When I leave I hope the new leaders will continue to do what we are doing now, inviting guest speakers, planning activities. I hope to do more community outreach. I want to start doing fundraising for sexual harassment and domestic violence safety,” said Kelliher. 

As club sponsor, Janozik-McGinnis is passionate about the state of women empowerment. 

“This is not the time to hide or run away from a fight. I think that’s why Club WE is important,” said Janozik-McGinnis. “I hope we can be more vocal about current events and make our voices heard.”