Highlands Council of PTA's

Michelle King (March 9, 1961 - February 2, 2019) was an American educator. She was the first black woman ever to serve as superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). She was appointed in January 2016 by the Los Angeles Board of Education.

Dr. King was a career employee of the district. She rose from classroom teacher, through leadership roles to lead the organization. She taught at Porter Junior High and Wright Middle School and became the principal at Hamilton High School. Under her leadership, Hamilton's test scores far exceeded annual improvement targets. In 2014 she became deputy superintendent under Superintendent John Deasy. She acceded to the top leadership position in January 2016.

Dr. King was credited with pushing the district's graduation rate to record levels. Her major initiative was to expand the number of schools with special programs as the district dealt with the impact of independently operated charter schools. Under her administration the district provided support to DACA students and protested changes in federal immigration policies. She stated, “I am concerned by this decision and its long-term impacts on the students, families and employees of L.A. Unified....These young immigrants have made valuable contributions to the community and the nation they consider their home, and they have earned the right to a permanent place in its history."

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.