On March 12, two North US History classes were privileged to host a group of international visitors.

This is the fourth time North has hosted a group for the Department of State.  The visitors came from: Rwanda-Ms. Rita Nyiratunga; Somalia-Ms. Mariam Aweis Jama; Russia- Ms. Selima Shirvaniyevna Salamovat; India- Ms. Veda Bharadwaja; Spain-Ms. Alicia Moriana Lopez; and Iran- Ms. Maryam Mirza.

These visitors were invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program and their program is arranged by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  The delegates all have strong interests in women’s rights and roles and were invited to the United States because of the work they are doing to promote and advance these rights in their home countries.  North students listened to poignant personal histories of these women and of these countries as well as insight into the transformations that these regions are undergoing. North students also had opportunities to discuss current “real world” matters that connect to their learning here at North. These areas included topics such as the growing pains of democracy, the importance of education in furthering society, government transition, imperialism, nationalism, progressive movements and government-society interactions.  Mr. Jon Durham was the sponsoring teacher.