Poster by Caitlin Ostrow-Seidler

I am privileged to regularly work with some of the most inspiring and dedicated youth leaders on the planet. Over the past few months, I have had the distinct pleasure to collaborate once again with the young women of the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team as they conducted participatory action research about harsh school disciplinary policies and their connection to pushing students into the prison pipeline. I have had the incredible good fortune to be an ally to these amazing young people for 8 years now.

The result of their hard work can be found in this most incredible new website called Suspension Stories. The site includes survey research, art, audio, video as well as other relevant resources and tools. I know that the young women dearly hope that others who are organizing against school pushout and the school to prison pipeline will find value in the results of YWAT’s hard work.

There are many people besides the young women of YWAT who contributed to making this initiative happen. That list is incredibly long and we send a big thank you to everyone.

Finally as a point of personal privilege, I would like to especially recognize Lillian Matanmi for her leadership on this project. I met Lillian when she was just a freshman in high school. Over the years, she has grown into a confident and competent leader. She was the driver of this project and without her it would simply not have happened. I know that all of the members of YWAT agree with me on this. Thank you Lillian for your passion and commitment to social justice. I am in awe of you.

Please take a minute to visit the Suspension Stories site. Be sure to leave some feedback for the girls to let them know how the site might be useful to your organizing and work.