Every teenage girl is well aware of how essential feminine hygiene products are, but there is a layer of awkwardness that surrounds discussing anything related to “that time of the month.” Team R.E.D. (Respond, Empower, Donate) is a club where that uncomfortable atmosphere doesn’t exist, and energy is instead put towards finding ways to support women.
Special education teacher, tennis coach, and Team R.E.D. sponsor Margaret Pooler witnessed the club start in response to female homelessness and has since seen the club broaden its focus and goals.
“Team R.E.D. is a club that was founded in 2020 when some students became cognizant of the rising female homelessness population during the pandemic,” Pooler said. “Since then, we have become a group of like-minded people who want to bring awareness to gender discrimination in EHS and in the world.”
Pooler’s involvement was sparked by a desire to stay connected to the EHS student body outside of the classroom and sponsoring Team R.E.D. was an opportunity to do just that.
“Around the second week of school, the activities office had sent an email asking about sponsors, and when I saw the description for Team R.E.D., I loved their mission and was immediately excited to meet the founders of the club,” said Pooler.
Eaglecrest senior and Team R.E.D. president Saleshma Dahal joined the club because of how the mission aligns with her priorities.
“I am very passionate about women’s rights and feminism, so I thought Team R.E.D. would be the perfect club to join to make a difference,” Dahal said. Dahal also viewed the club as an opportunity to help those in need.
In order to help women who are struggling or don’t have access to resources, Team R.E.D. has chosen different organizations and focused on responding to their needs. The club made period kits for communities in Denver that needed those resources the most and have done donation drives for domestic abuse shelters and homeless shelters in the past. Team R.E.D.’s primary focus this year is currently undecided.
When it comes to empowerment, Eaglecrest junior Peyton Leak views Team R.E.D. ‘s success in empowering women in the school and community as one of the major draws of the club.
“We have a nice community as well as having a positive impact on each other and the school,” Leak said. “If you are interested in feminism and empowering each other you should totally join!”
Team R.E.D. has been so successful in empowering the EHS community because they have done the work to share the perspective of women with those who otherwise probably wouldn’t hear that viewpoint.
“We host women’s panels so people can understand the perspective of a woman in various topics,” Dahal said. Not only does this validate the female students of EHS, but it puts a spotlight on a group of people who have not had a seat at the table for a majority of history.
“We aspire to empower everyone to reflect on how their gender affects their lives,” Pooler said. “We invite everyone to join our club to talk about how gender affects our personal lives, our school, and really, our world.”
Team R.E.D. serves as an opportunity to talk freely about gender and the value and challenges it brings to our lives is what dissipates the discomfort that surrounds most gender-based conversations. Especially at this point in time, talking about gender can get controversial or heated, but Team R.E.D. meetings don’t create that formal or uncomfortable feeling.
“My favorite part of being a member of Team R.E.D. is the meetings! It’s always a fun time talking, doing drives, service projects and other events with each other,” Leak said.
Dahal and Pooler both acknowledged the undeniable comfort and trust that exists within Team R.E.D., and this aspect of the club is one of Dahal’s favorite parts of being involved.
“It is a club that allows you to make a difference in a way you feel comfortable doing. All the members in the club are close, so it’s a very homey club,” Dahal said. “My favorite part of being a member is seeing other members become comfortable.”
Even if you aren’t involved in Team R.E.D., a lot of the work the club does is in an attempt to make women and the female population of Eaglecrest feel more comfortable dealing with the challenges that gender presents. “Some people do not have access to [feminine hygiene] products as easily as others, so it takes away one thing to worry about,” said Dahal. Team R.E.D. increases comfort and accessibility within Eaglecrest by donating additional products to the girls’ school bathrooms, an act of service that the club is most known for. Hearing about everything Team R.E.D. has accomplished in such a short time, it becomes exceptionally clear that the club’s name is incredibly fitting. Team R.E.D. responds to those struggling to access resources that are necessary because of their gender. Team R.E.D. empowers the school’s female population to share their perspective that has been shaped by their gender. Team R.E.D. donates feminine hygiene products not only to Eaglecrest but to women in need throughout the state. I’m sure our mothers and grandmothers wish there was a Team R.E.D. in their lives when they were in high school. If you’re interested in joining Team R.E.D., contact [email protected] or [email protected].
