March is here! We are adding another tally to our heritage month series, and we’re delighted to celebrate the indomitable spirit of women for Women’s History Month. 

Throughout history, there have been countless stories of women who have defied the odds, broken barriers, raised ceilings, and shaped the world around them for good. This month serves as a defining reminder that women have made incredible contributions to our society. May we never forget to see the depth of their earnest work and how they have paved the way for the equally-fierce trailblazers of today who have chosen to carry the banner.

Supporting Women for a Better Tomorrow

At LEE, we proudly celebrate the many women in our membership who are at the forefront working towards social justice and equity in their communities. Their stories are compelling, moving, and urging. Here are some of the stories of a few standout members:

Adzua Agyapon

Adzua is director of policy and advocacy at the KIPP Foundation. In this role, she leads, develops, and executes strategies to advance federal and state policy that—in alignment with KIPP’s mission and vision—dismantles structural barriers and puts kids on the path to opportunity. This includes advancing policies that support excellent schools, stabilize families, and create more just communities.  

Adzua began her career with Teach for America (TFA) in Metro Atlanta, where she worked as an elementary special education teacher. After TFA, she joined KIPP STRIVE Primary, where she was a kindergarten teacher, grade level chair, and instructional coach. In 2017, she was a candidate for the Atlanta Board of Education. As a first-time candidate, Adzua and her team planned and executed a grassroots campaign. Adzua managed five staff members and more than 50 volunteers to knock on over 2,000 doors, raise $58,000, and defeat three candidates to advance to the runoff.

Janai Valentine

Janai is a writer, entrepreneur, creative strategist, and community organizer based in Los Angeles. Along with LEE, she is also a member of the Orie Agency Writers Room, as well as an alumni of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity Incorporated and AmeriCorps Public Allies where she completed 1,700 hours of National Service.

Janette Garza Lindner

Houston Independent School District former board member Janette Garza Lindner is a devoted wife and working mom of two children who attend HISD schools. She credits her education for the opportunities she’s enjoyed and is dedicated to making sure Houston students don’t have to depend on luck to get a great education.

Janette also actively contributes to creating healthier communities to meet our children’s needs through her service on the MD Anderson YMCA board, and she also collaborates with numerous local community groups to advocate for safer neighborhoods, protecting our parks, and sensible urban development. 

Erika de la Rosa

Erika taught 7th grade English/Language Arts and served as Department Chair in the neighborhood she grew up in. She prioritized knowing and honoring the varied experiences and cultures of her students to ensure that they were exposed to a curriculum that validated, inspired, and empowered them to reach their own academic and life goals. In addition to serving her students, she served as a Teacher-Mentor for first year teachers as well as college student-teachers.

She was selected as a 2021-2022 Latinos for Education Teacher fellow, a 2022-2023 Teach Plus Policy Fellow, a 2023-2024 Houston Policy Fellow, the 2023 Inspira Award Recipient from Latinos for Education, and she was selected as a 2024 LEE Public Policy Fellow with the Freedom Coalition for Charter Schools. Erika works with Teach Plus, Latinos for Education, and Leadership of Educational Equity (LEE) to pursue more just policies to support the education of all children.

A Win for Women is a Win for All
Whether it’s these featured women, women in your family, in your community, or in society, let’s celebrate and root for the women who have made a difference in our lives. Their impacts are far-reaching and are a testimony to the courage and hope they carry each day. Happy Women’s History Month to you and to all the women who are envisioning a brighter future for all!