In celebration of Women’s History Month, Richards High School hosted its first-ever Women’s Career Panel, bringing together a powerhouse lineup of female professionals to inspire and guide students toward their futures.
Held on Wednesday, March 12, in the school’s Learning Resource Center at 10601 S. Central Ave. in Oak Lawn, the event featured nine accomplished women from diverse fields: Margaret McGreal, a retired Illinois state trooper; Tennis Williams, a salon owner and makeup artist; Jackie Bittner, a project manager at Pinterest; Cindy Bielik, co-founder of a meal prep service; Jamila Jones, a director of project management at Publicis Groupe; Becky Bosack, a dentist; Victoria Cooley, an assistant physicist; Johanna Raimond, an attorney; and Quinn Mulroy, a faculty member in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University.
“To me, this is a way to inspire the younger generations and it’s very meaningful to show that there’s multiple walks of life you can take,” said Jackie Bittner, Project Manager at Pinterest.
The panel was co-hosted by the school’s Feminism Club, African American Cultural Awareness Club, and Hispanic & Latino Cultural Club. For Joyce Cruse, an AP U.S. History and AP European History teacher who moderates the Feminism Club, the event was years in the making.
“It’s incredible to be able to talk to women in such high positions,” co-president of Richards’ Feminism Club, Kamila Sanchez, 17, of Oak Lawn, said. “It’s also important to show younger students just how powerful women can truly be. By listening to these women on the panel, students might realize that if they can do it, so can I – which is what this is all about – encouraging others and being a role model.”
“A career panel is something we have always wanted to do,” Cruse said. “The Feminism Club sponsors various activities every year for Women’s History Month, and I feel it is extremely important to highlight women in various careers so that our students have role models and potential allies in their future education and career.”
Throughout the discussion, panelists shared their personal journeys, discussing the challenges they faced in male-dominated industries and the lessons they learned along the way. Some emphasized the importance of mentorship, while others spoke about resilience, adaptability, and the power of representation in the workplace.
“I have three daughters, and let me tell you, it is an honor to be here today,” panelist Margaret McGreal, retired Illinois state trooper, said.
Cruse, who sought speaker recommendations from faculty and staff, was proud of all of the students and staff who attended.
While none of the speakers were Richards alumni this year, she looks to incorporate former students in future panels.
“I am hoping that our students were inspired to pursue a career path they hadn’t thought of before or to make a connection with someone in a profession of interest to them,” Cruse said.
After the panel, students gathered for a small reception, where they had the chance to meet the speakers, ask questions, and exchange contact information.
For many, the experience was eye-opening.
“I started getting involved with the Feminism Club this year,” Richards junior Jocelyn Lemus, 16, of Oak Lawn, said. “I have never been a part of something like this before and honestly, it’s really amazing to be able to get our voices out there as women – especially in a school environment where a lot of people bring each other down – this is a way to bring each other up.”
By tying the panel to Women’s History Month, Richards High School reinforced the importance of representation and mentorship, ensuring that young women, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, can see themselves in careers they may have never considered before, said panelist Jamila Jones, director of project management at Publicis Groupe.
“We need to make sure women are a part of every conversation,” Jones said.
