Dear Readers,

This month, our issue is all about the change

that started the women’s suffrage movement.

As you know, this magazine is all about

change in the world and we thought it could not be more appropriate than

to focus on women, since the anniversary of the passing of the 19th

amendment is soon coming. Before actually putting this issue together, the

entire staff was given a question; what incites meaningful change? We

received many different responses, but we narrowed our answer to three

words; voice, perseverance, and community. McKenna and I, and also the

entire staff, believe that these three words represent what it takes to start

meaningful change. In this issue you will read incredible stories all

focused on this one idea to answer what incites meaningful change. As

you read through these pages, we want you feel inspired to incite change

within your own community, in hopes of becoming a better member of

society. We hope you enjoy our newest issue!

Your co-editors,

M and M

Table of Contents

Main stories

One heart, One mind, One goal, Girl Scouts-page 10-11

Help in Georgia-page 12

Mckenna Cotterman’s meaningful song-page 13

The short story of Elephant women-page 14-18

Side stories

Monthly horoscope-page 19-20

One Heart, One Mind, One Goal

Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts 1960 Present Day

Interviewed By Vivian Shortwood

Thin mints, cookies, uniforms, brownies, badges. These items all come to

mind when thinking of Girl Scouts. I was never a member, even though I should

have been. The lessons preached in Girls Scout tribes such as perseverance,

independence, courage, and support are important for young girls to learn and

utilize in the future. In the suburb of New York, a group of teenagers from

Bridgeport, Connecticut put these lessons to use during their annual marketing

competition. Their task; sell the most cookies in a month. Their achievement;

they made over 20,000 dollars selling cookies, which went to help charities and

change lives. We were so astounded by their accomplishment that we wanted to

interview them and learn the secrets on how change begins. The group is made

of 10 girls ranging from 13 to 16. Their names include Madie, Jenna, Gina, Rose,

Meaghan, Annabella, Raquel, Bridget, Sam, and Jesse.

Shortwood: So ladies, you must be very proud of your accomplishment

Girls: Yes we are, it’s crazy all the attention we are getting from just selling

cookies.

Shortwood: After learning about the competition, what first came into all of your

minds?

Gina: Well I think we all are pretty competitive so we all really wanted to win,

which is what I think really motivated us to sell all those cookies.

Group: We all definitely agree with that and we also wanted to win so we could

help our community since all the money we made went to charity.

Shortwood: Wow that’s very sweet of you all. What do you believe is the secret

to your success?

Jesse: I believe the support from the community really was the force behind the

train. Without them, we would have nobody to sell to and nobody to help

advertise us.

Sam: I would definitely agree with Jesse on that. This may seem like a weird

connection but it almost reminds me of The Crucible, which is book a couple of us

are reading in English. The way Abigail took control of her town and completely

changed it was because of the community of girls willing to help her. Without

that community of girls behind her, she would have never changed that town.

Bridget: I believe the secret to initiating change is definitely to have a community

behind you. Change can never happen with just one person, one needs people

supporting her to help actually change things.

Shortwood: Well thank you ladies, for you incite and your time. You girls should

all be very proud of yourself.

Help in Georgia

A growing awareness of women’s rights in the Middle East are recently more profound,

however in Georgia, citizens have a “backwards” attitude of women’s rights. A recent, pronoun

story about the inequality of women’s rights resides in the country Georgia. The story starts by a

woman deciding whether to abort her child or keep it, without the support of a husband to help

her. However, in Georgia, it is looked down upon to be a single parent and it is most likely the

family of the woman will beat her or disown her. Women have been set a place in society and are

not aware of their civil rights.

Women in Georgia have been victims to violence for many years and are caught in

traditional ways of society. In Pankisi, a city in Georgia, “honor killings” still occur, where child

brides are either given away by their parents or kidnapped by their “fiancés”. Hundreds of

women are taken across the country against their will and their perpetrators only received a fine.

The Anti-Violence Network of Georgia has claimed that one out of three women are victims of

violence. However, most women do not acknowledge their indifference and wish to keep matters

between their families.

Evidently, Georgia needs to take immediate action in educating society to show it is not

acceptable to harm women and take them against their will. Georgia has signed an international

human rights treaty to require investigative measures to avert violence against women.

Nevertheless, the government lacks any reform policies to achieve change within society. A new,

non-government organization called a Voice of a Woman, has been working with Georgia to

aware the people of women rights. This organization works directly with the women and

children of the country to promote the welfare of the people and inform them of equality that is

ensured to them. The Catalyst has been a recent sponsor of the organization and welcomes any

donations to help the women in Georgia. We believe that change requires a voice, a strong voice

to speak out, and the Voice of a Woman Organization will make their voice known.

Already The Catalyst has seen improvement within the country with the help of this

organization. Their voice is heard throughout the country by millions of people. We have seen

that more women are speaking up for their rights and against violence known in their country.

However, this new-found voice is not enough. The Voice of a Woman needs more voices to be

heard. One way to help this organization is to buy a song made specifically for the women of the

country on ijuice.com. The song is called Voice of a Woman and all the proceeds will go directly

to the Georgian women.

Women of Georgia

Here are the lyrics to Voice of a Woman:

Have you ever really thought about

The chances that lie before you

And the dreams you chase ahead

Have you ever really reached out

And seen your dreams reaching back

And followed where they led

I'm calling out but no one seems to notice

Someone tell me

Why can't they hear

Where free is more than safety

And actions more than words

We will rise and march into history

After the call we have heard

We will show that we are better

Than the people we have been

And you'll see me as a sister and a friend

And we'll walk together onward till the end

With the voice of a woman

No more just thinking about it

Time to be the change you want to see

It's more than you and me

You can't ignore our song

And change is coming someday soon

And time is running out

No more empty sacrifice

Injustice finally pays a price

It's time to finally make you see

Every woman, this is your song

Stand up and believe we are strong

Follow with your heart and sing along

With the voice of a woman (x3)

The story of the Elephant woman

By: Elise Wyler

As my boss, the editor and chief, Margaret Callaghan was looking through her

grandmother’s attic; she stumbled upon an old chest filled with treasures unknown. She

proceeded in unlocking the dusty, rickety, and somewhat depressed looking chest, to find a

journal written by her ancestor from the 19th

century. Margaret spent an entire three hours of her

Saturday afternoon indulged in this journal that her ancestor, Edith, wrote to her daughter about

the struggles of her everyday life. Margaret was intrigued by the hardship Edith endured through

her journey as a striving politician, and since this issue is based upon change and women, I found

it a coincidence that she found this journal only a week ago. The journal does not only answer

the question which our issue is based upon; what incites meaningful change, but also brings the

aspect from a women’s view. Edith Callaghan eventually succeeds as a politician, proving that

perseverance is a key to any amount of success and it is the final piece of the answer to The

Catalyst residing question. The story of Edith Callaghan is inspiring, revolutionary, and really

makes us modern women realize how fortunate we are today. Multiple journal entries are

printed bellow but if you would like to read the entire journal, please visit our website.

January 4, 1856

Dear daughter,

I have decided to start journaling all the important moments in my

life, so one day you can what your ma did for you. I hope you look at this

journal as documentation of the suffrage of women. In this journal, you

will see what we had to endure, overcome, and battle against. Do not

read this and cry, but look at them as inspiration for your future. I do not

want you to take any freedoms you have for granted because so many

women fought very hard for what you have today. As the beginning of my

journal I would like to start with some very important news, your ma will

be running for city council. I hope to become the first women with a

council chair in Boston, then the country, and finally the world. Success

will not be easy, as to which I already know, but hopefully worth the risks.

My daughter, if you want to make change in this world, you must never be

scared of failure.

Yours truly,

Ma

March 18, 1856

My Daughter,

As the pages of the calendar turn away, so does the hope in my heart

for the success of my campaign. I have held a weekly bulletin in which I

intended for citizens of the community to come and list their grievances.

As a politician it is my responsibility to listen to the people and represent

them to the best of my ability, which was my goal for the bulletin. It was

unsuccessful however, since only a few women in my town arrived and did

not have any opinion of political issues. This idea may not have been

successful, but I am not giving up. Just because there is one bump in the

road does not mean the rest of the traveled path will be lost. Daughter,

you must never forget these words. My generation cannot change

everything we hope to, but when your generation gets its chance, do not be

afraid of failure. When you fail, you learn of your mistakes and then can

fix those mistakes next time.

Yours truly,

Ma

May 27, 1856

My dearest daughter,

There are only a few months till the election and my campaign is

starting to receive momentum. Women in Boston have finally found the

courage and perseverance they need in order to speak for their rights.

After the event in which a courageous woman performed at city hall,

many women in the city realized that they needed to be just as courageous

as her. Many of them have always agreed with my views but were too

afraid to speak up. After the event, women from all over started to state

their own opinion, and others realized they should do the same.

Daughter, if you have an opinion voice it. Do not be afraid if people

disagree with you or critique your views. I promise, at least one other

person will agree with you. Even in the slightest chance nobody does,

remember, at least you tried. To me, that is not a failure, but a success. If

you have enough courage to voice your opinion and neglect what people

may think, that is success within yourself. I will always be proud of you, no

matter what you accomplish in life, but I do not want you to be scared of

the world and the obstacles it may bring to you. I know you can overcome

them and I want to voice my confidence to you that I know you succeed

with courage and perseverance.

Yours truly,

Ma

Horoscopes

An aruarius is clever and original; Pisces, speak out in the Aries, although determination a very hardworking woman. This business place! Your voice may and activism are your strong month you will find new, inivative be small, but it is not unheard. characteristics, do not lose ways to show ideas to business Use your creativity and sight of your main business partners! However, beware of understanding to inspire goals. Stay on task even procrastination! one another. if the road ahead is bumpy!

Taurus! Finance is your specialty, Gemini, focus on one task Cancer, resolve your you know where money lies and ahead, and stop dispersing emotional issues before the path to achieve success. Take your energy on things not endangering your compatibility caution when dealing with new wanted. Once you focus on with your work associates. Separate surroundings, you never know your main goal, success will work from the outside world, and who will try and cheat you! naturally come to you. transfer that energy into work.

Leo, you will have amazing Virgo, your independence Libra’s, a very special control in your workplace and in the workplace is astounding, opportunity is heading your be dominating in superiority; but remember to swallow your way and you’ll need to rid be grateful for what you have. pride and ask for help if needed. your laziness and work hard.

Sagittarius, use your conversational Capricorn, you will eventually lead in skills to lead the way on your career path. your business if you are patient and kind. Do not be afraid of commitment because it Change is coming someday soon, so keep will prosper in your favor, but only if you are an open mind when new opportunities willing to take risks. come your way.

We hoped you enjoyed this month’s issue of

The Catalyst!