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Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force

Newsletter ~ Hyde-Addison ES ~ February 26, 2025

Equity and Anti-RacismTask ForceNewsletter ~ Hyde-Addison ES ~ February 26, 2025

Greetings from the Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force. Please join the Equity and Anti-Racism conversation at Hyde-Addison by emailing hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov and requesting to be added to the Task Force email list maintained by the school, joining us on Konstella, utilizing the resources here, and/or participating in the monthly Task Force virtual meeting at 4pm on the last Friday of every month. As parents, teachers and staff, we are interested in doing our part to promote equity and end racism in constructive, supportive ways.

THIS MONTH’S TOPICS THIS MONTH’S TOPICS

March is Women’s History Month March is Women’s History Month

The theme for this year’s National Women’s History Month is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations”. This theme celebrates the women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership who are shaping the minds of future generations - so that includes our very own Hyde-Addison teachers and staff.

Women had a pivotal role in shaping this country, alongside men, but too often their contributions and even their presence are omitted. So here are some highlights you may or may not know:


  • In 1889, an all-women city council was elected in Baldwin City, Kansas. The council facilitated the building of sidewalks and a bridge in the town.
  • Madam CJ Walker, who was born to enslaved parents, went on to invent a line of African-American hair care products and cosmetics, becoming one of the first women self-made millionaires in the U.S.
  • During World War II, more than 1,000 female pilots took part in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program. These civilian volunteers flew almost every military aircraft, ferried planes to military bases and tested planes.
  • Co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association in the 1960s, Dolores Huerta was one of the most prominent labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement.
  • Margaret Hamilton coined the term “software engineering” and “directed the Software Engineering Division at the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, where she led the development of the on-board flight software for NASA's Apollo Guidance Computer for the Apollo program.”

Icons of the District Icons of the District

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As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we can’t forget those women who helped shape our own city. Lucy Burns was a suffragist, women’s rights advocate and co-founder of the National Woman’s Party in the early 1900s. She spent more time in prison than nearly any suffragist in U.S. history. You can watch a virtual tour of the Lucy Burns Museum here.

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Shirley Horn was a singer and pianist who grew up in Washington, DC, and would sometimes sneak into Jazz clubs in the U St Area. She studied music at Howard University and went on to collaborate with Jazz greats Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis and Dizzy Gillespie, to name a few. She won a Grammy in 1999 for Best Vocal Jazz Performance.

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Helen Hayes, widely known as “The First Lady of the American Theater,” had a career in theater, film and stage that spanned 80 years. She won two Oscars and was the first woman to become an “EGOT” - meaning she won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony.

Changemakers at Hyde-Addison ES Changemakers at Hyde-Addison ES

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Several Changemakers as Shared by their Colleagues

Have you ever wondered how Hyde-Addison's daily operations seem to run so effortlessly? We have an awesome team of staff members that contribute to our everyday operations, but there is one unsung hero that plays an integral part, Ms. Jessica Ramey. Ms. Ramey handles so many crucial aspects of the school, from family engagement to keeping everything running seamlessly with enrollment and attendance. It's clear that her role goes far beyond administrative tasks—her warm smile and approachable demeanor make such a difference in creating a welcoming environment for families. It is comforting for both staff and families to know we have someone as dedicated and knowledgeable as Ms. Ramey in our corner.

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Meet Ms. Janice Baker, one of Hyde-Addison's amazing team members that plays a very important role in student success. Although Ms. Baker may not be responsible for direct classroom instruction, her dedication and commitment to our school is the reason why students are powered up and ready to begin each day of learning. Her dedication clearly makes a big impact on the school community, not only does Ms. Baker ensure a smooth meal distribution during breakfast and lunch, but she can also be found providing emotional support and love to some of our students who need it most. It's amazing how someone can create such a nurturing environment, delivering smiles and kindness, all while fulfilling the important role of Cafeteria Manager.

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In this day and age, safety in our schools has become a top priority for all. We are fortunate to have one of the best, helping to keep our campus safe. Officer Williams is not only dedicated to keeping Hyde-Addison safe, but she is also a positive and supportive presence in the school community! Her ability to balance a friendly, yet serious attitude with a strong protective presence is essential in creating a sense of security while still fostering a warm environment. Officer Williams is connected to the students, families, and staff—having someone who’s always ready to help out and knows how to get things done makes everyone feel more at ease here at Hyde-Addison Elementary School.

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Amina Zaid is a changemaker at Hyde-Addison! Amina’s ability to infuse her creativity and passion in all she does helps to inspire our students and make our school a truly beautiful place to teach and learn. Amina sets the example for how to hold students to high standards, while providing them with consistent support and love. We are so lucky to have you, Amina!

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Nora Zabst is a true changemaker at Hyde-Addison! She is one of the most thoughtful, passionate, and dedicated educators I’ve had the privilege of working with. Nora’s commitment to her own learning has been a source of inspiration for my own educational journey. Whether it's analyzing a student's reading, brainstorming next steps, or providing motivation on tough days, I can always count on Nora for support. We’re incredibly lucky to have her on our team!

We are excited to highlight some incredible change-makers from our very own Hyde-Addison community. We hope you'll join us for this Friday's School-wide Meeting to hear from these parents/guardians!


Ms. Grimm is a Georgetown professor of Securities Studies who has worked in US Government defense and intelligence for 10 years.


Ms. Gregory is a conservation biologist, primatologist, and sustainable infrastructure scientist at the World Wildlife Fund.


Ms. George runs a wealth management and financial planning group out of UBS.


Ms. Fisher is a broadcast journalist for an international news agency who reports on the US for foreign news.


Ms. Allan has spent 20 years at the United Nations and in the UK government as a humanitarian advisor in conflict zones and for natural disasters in Africa and the Middle East.


Ms. Najmi has worked 20+ years in global international development (esp. digital financial services and economic empowerment) for vulnerable populations living under $2/day. She currently oversees social impact, community engagement, and corporate philanthropy at Micron, a tech company that makes semiconductors (chips). She works on raising awareness, education, and inclusion in STEM careers.

Women-Owned Restaurants in DC Women-Owned Restaurants in DC

Behind many of Washington, DC’s great restaurants is a woman leading the way! In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating the incredible women-owned restaurants shaping the city’s vibrant food scene. From cozy cafés to fine dining, these establishments

showcase culinary excellence, creativity, and leadership.


Discover and support these amazing restaurants by checking out this list:

Women-Owned Restaurants in DC. Let’s uplift and recognize the women making a difference in the restaurant industry.

International Women’s Day International Women’s Day

March 8th is International Women’s Day! The theme this year is “Accelerate Action” and it was chosen because, according to the World Economic Forum, it will take until 2158 to achieve full gender parity. That’s roughly five generations from now! So that means we need to speed up progress by increasing momentum and taking action to help bridge the gap.


If you’re interested in celebrating International Women’s Day through a DC lens, Off the Mall Tours and Logan Circle Main Street are celebrating by holding a walking tour: “On this tour we will explore the stories of some incredible women who called the Logan Circle neighborhood home, and along the way visit a few of Logan Circle's women-owned businesses to hear their stories. The tour begins in front of Mi Vida on 14th, the former Bali Club where Billie Holiday enchanted audiences, and ends at Zena Hotel on Thomas Circle. Tour will last approximately 2 hours. Join us to celebrate the contributions of women!”

Celebrating Diversity at Hyde-Addison ES Celebrating Diversity at Hyde-Addison ES

Did your student celebrate any holidays or traditions related to their culture, race, or ethnicity this month? Please share any photos or videos related to your celebrations via email: hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.

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