Celebrate Women’s History Month
We are in the midst of the 2026 Women’s History Month celebration. The National Women's History Alliance (NWHA), spearheads this movement each March. The theme this year is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future”. This theme affirms that shaping a sustainable future means fostering systems that support both people and the planet.”
The purpose of the celebration is to address the historical underrepresentation of women’s achievements by highlighting stories of trailblazers and ordinary women who shaped history. It may also mean recognizing those that are dismantling systems that oppress people and destroy the planet.
It is always meaningful to acknowledge lives and deeds of women that have taken their places among the great and who have been immortalized in history books, however, during this time I joyfully celebrate the women from whom I descend— my female ancestors— those who helped me shape a sustainable future. I name my mother…Doris L. Bailey. Though she may not have fostered systems, she surely strengthened my traditions, life principles and practices, values, and beliefs. I honor her. My hope is that each person reading this will be filled with gratitude for at least one woman—someone you name out loud— who showed you how to find your way to be a successful human being and who in some way, helped you to support both people and the mother earth.
When considering a historical figure, as Montessorians, Dr. Maria Montessori usually comes to the forefront of our minds. In Italy she faced challenges and barriers to equity, education, and influence. Even she—many others thought it was not possible to provide a scientific foundation for pedagogy, but she did. She did not immediately understand how to train Montessori “guides”. However, she eventually identified the critical points of training, provided scientific preparation, and ultimately realized that it was the observation of the behavior and scholastic performance of the children in care that proved to be the most important classroom tool. She was a woman that led change and shaped a sustainable future in education.
If Dr. Montessori lived in recent decades, she would have been considered a contemporary renaissance woman. Someone who continually learns, emphasizes self-care(spiritual preparation), is self-aware, possesses a clear vision for life, does not simply adapt to someone else’s idea of their dreams, and lives fully. Today’s renaissance woman prioritizes family and/or community, possesses multi-dimensional skills, is creative, offers original ideas, is willing to be the first in situations or be the first to create new situations and opportunities for others, especially other women. She trusts her intuition, is able to hold space for nuances and complexities, embraces both/and ideas, is empowered to act with agency, and honors the axiom, ”If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.” Of course, not all renaissance women possess every quality during all phases of their lives. It is most important to note the positive impact that they have on systems and the lives of others.
This year marks 15 years since I began my professional Montessori career. I want to use this milestone year to recognize a few Montessori women from whom I have learned, whom I admire, and whom I deeply appreciate during my journey. Some I met early on; some I am just getting to know. This list is not a representation of AMI/USA or the potential exhaustive list of our many accomplished Montessori colleagues.
First I lift up my Montessori mentor and friend Dorothy Knox, a strong Montessori leader and teacher who leads with transparency, honesty, empathy, and compassion. She never failed to ask, “How is what you want to do going to best serve the children?”
Dr. Cindy Acker is an unapologetically bold Montessori child and adult educator. She is an educational entrepreneur, Human Rights and Social Justice activist, respected speaker, published author, playwright, musical director and singer.
Dr. KaLinda Bass-Barlow is a bold trailblazing educator and educational leader. She is the first African American woman to serve as the Executive Director of the Association of Montessori International/USA. Her story is one of perseverance and an example of overcoming challenges to achieve goals and fulfill dreams.
Koren Clark, founder of KnowThySelf is a Montessori educator, activist, writer and speaker who deeply explores the ways educational practices, especially Montessori methods, can be of service to human rights and spiritual and liberatory practices. Her vision, teachings, and activism were well ahead of work prompted by the recent George Floyd racial awakening. Her work is sustainable beyond the immediate social circumstances. Her work has expanded to address climate change in a unique way.
Judith Cunningham is the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Montessori Model UN. Judith founded MMUN to help students find their voices, take action and build peace as a way of honoring Maria Montessori’s legacy and implementing her dream of world peace. She and her son have recently rolled out materials and timelines that reimagine the Montessori Great Lessons for the climate generation, centering climate justice within Montessori stories for elementary and middle school students.
Junnifa Ozodike is a trained Montessorian many times over, an educational entrepreneur, author, speaker, and member of the Association of Montessori International Board of Directors. I had the pleasure of teaching at her school, Fruitful Orchard Montessori School in Abuja, Nigeria for six weeks. Her contributions to Montessori are multi-faceted.
Without Uma Ramani's vision to create an alternative to on-site academic courses, the collaboration with AMI, and the support of the Montessori Institute of North Texas, Montessori training would not be as accessible nor affordable to many. I was a member of the first Primary Blended Course. Uma’s work shaped and fostered a non-traditional, sustainable system that supports mostly other women, as they strive to obtain AMI training. I also thank her for opening the door for me to help embed principles of equity and justice within the training curriculum's framework.
I lift up the often grueling and emotional work that women do for AMI/USA Human Rights and Social Justice Advisory Council, Regina Dyson and Lindsey Pollock do for Montessori for Social Justice, Dr. Nicole Evans does for Embracing Equity, Hannah Richardson does for Peace Rebellion, and Meisha Perrin does for the Black Montessori Education Fund.
Finally, I applaud the AMI trainers that have been working diligently to update the AMI/USA elementary AMI/USA Cosmic Education Material Changes to address Montessori community concerns. I had the privilege of participating in a training at Montessori Northwest that centered the new timelines. They are beautiful and more prehistorially accurate.
Reader, in honor of Women’s History Month, you may want to create your own list of women that you know have positively impacted your Montessori journey and Montessori work…to be in service to the children and Mother Earth. Also, don’t forget to celebrate yourself!
Other Resources
National Women's History Museum
What It Means to be a Renaissance Woman
Black Women's Renaissance: Release Your Stress
5 Key Values of a Modern Day Renaissance Woman. Is This You?
