Susanna Smith

Transcript

imagine you're 12 years old it's seventh grade it was third period And I was standing in the hallway staring through the open door of my next class I was frozen in fear and dread I don't belong in this class I was thinking praying to God please do not make me take the cooking class now some of you may think I'm being over dramatic about this let me explain about 6 weeks earlier I decided I was hungry and I was going to cook myself something to eat my something to eat turned into a 911 fire truck emergency that left my parents' house filled with smoke and

their kitchen cabinets charred so there I stood classmate after classmate filing in my best friend shows up promising not to let me set anything on fire then I noticed boys going into class that's when I learned boys got to choose between wood shop and cooking but girls had to take cooking class I did not belong in cooking I belonged in Woodshop second later the bell rings I hear the teacher's voice excuse me do you belong in this class in that moment I felt myself step into my truth no I don't belong in this class the door closes I felt so empowered standing there in my

truth until I realized I didn't have a plan I know I will go to the office and I will ask for a pass to Wood Chop but as I neared the office door my brilliant plan turned into well maybe I can just sneak in sit down nobody will notice wrong answer just before the bell rang the vice principal exits his office Miss Smith why are you here there was no place to run and no place to hide I had to stand in my truth the teacher wouldn't let me in wood shop sir so we go into his office and he starts filling out his passs

for me and says wood shop that's not possible girls aren't allowed in wood shop I know sir that's why the teacher wouldn't let me in with that the bell rang and I was dismissed hearing these words I expect you in your proper class tomorrow the next day third period I showed up in the office and again for the next three days engaging in this same conversation hearing the same words girls are not allowed in wood shop bell ringing being dismissed Friday he has these extra words if you show up here Monday I will suspend you myself fast forward to Monday morning it was third period

Torn Between The Dread of cooking and the fear of suspension I chose to stay in my truth as I walked down the hall I could see the vice principal standing outside the office he did not look happy Miss Smith I have your pass with my newfound superpower I'm not going to cooking class there was awkward pause he said to me no not cooking the school board voted last night you won here is your

Transcript generated from the recording and lightly cleaned. Some names and wording may differ from the spoken speech.