My name is Carlee Warfield, and I am a sophomore at the Downingtown STEM Academy. The statement, “I won’t be Shh’d” sparked my interest immediately, as the shirt reminded me of the injustice I see in our education system.

Personally, I have always been an avid student; I take part in class discussions and ask questions often. When I entered middle school though, I started to take note of how little other girls spoke in class, and how on the rare occasion that one did speak up, she would begin saying, “I don’t know if I’m right but…” before stating her answer. I noticed our male peers never seemed to say the same. Girls spoke with hesitance, in fear of being shut down or rudely interrupted by another student. Boys however never had the same tone of voice. They spoke with confidence, even if they knew their answer was completely incorrect. There was no fear of failure or utter embarrassment for them.

As my time in middle school continued, I began to realize the stigma associated with girls who did speak up in class as well. Those girls were seen as try-hards and teacher’s pets. To fit in, girls are conditioned to stay quiet and to simply “go with the flow” in group projects. These misogynistic ideals are so engraved in our society, that young girls pick up on them naturally as social cues. For the sake of fitting in, girls sacrifice receiving an interactive education and flourishing as a leader.

Throughout my education, I have witnessed firsthand how men and women act differently in a learning environment. I saw girls refuse to speak up, in fear of failure and humiliation, while boys spoke boldly, without fear of making a mistake. My observations are what drew me to the statement, “I won’t be Shh’d”. Women should be able to express thoughts openly without interruption, and young girls should be taught that their voice matters.

I will always continue advocating for women’s rights. A future in which all girls take control of their education and stand up for their rights is a future worth fighting for.

I won't be shh'd,
Carlee

Speak up and don't be shh'd with Carlee in your new favorite power tee. SHOP NOW