Downey High students draw inspiration from Rosie the Riveter

DOWNEY — With hair pulled back in a red polka-dot scarf, a clenched fist, and a denim work shirt rolled up, a group of students at Downey High School dressed up as Rosie the Riveter to bring awareness to the Global Water Crisis and how it affects women and girls in developing countries. 

These students belong to the Downey H.S. Thirst Project Club and Downey H.S. KIWIN’S Club. They teamed up to spread awareness and stand up for women and girls who cannot go to school or get jobs because they are dawned with the task of fetching water that is not even clean for their families to survive.

Senior Diana Baliscao, the Thirst Project club’s president, said,”We are doing this by expose students to the injustices females endure and to raise awareness about the global water crisis.”

In developing countries, women and girls usually bear the responsibility for collecting water, which is often very time-consuming and arduous. Becacuse of this, Girls cannot go to school and women cannot get jobs and be independent.

”The reason we chose to dress up as Rosie the Riveter is because she’s such an iconic character and the symbol of a strong, independent, capable woman,” said senior Wendy Galvan, vice president of the Thirst Project Club. “We wanted everyone to be able to see themselves as Rosie, as their own hero and take action to help girls everywhere. Most importantly, we wanted to spread awareness about what is going on around the world with girls like us who cannot go to school because they lack access to clean water.”

By the end of the day many students were interested in learning more about how women and girls are affected by the Water Crisis and how providing water can solve the issue of gender inequality for women and girls in developing countries.

These students are planning a Walk for Water on Saturday, March 7, at the Downey High School football stadium. All of the Downey community is invited to attend.