In honor of Women’s History Month, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, an author, entrepreneur, and film producer, addressed the community in all-school on Tuesday, March 4. Perez discussed her work as an author, the power of telling stories, and the ability of students to use their voices to uplift their communities.

Ms. Lee Perez, a graduate of Miss Porters and Wesleyan University, is the author of We Come as Girls, We Leave as Women, a book that explores the decisions and situations five high school Senior girls face at the verge of graduation.

Ms. Lee Perez is the niece of TV show host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey and began her career in entertainment as a publicist, working on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Entertainment Tonight.

She co-hosted and co-produced The Forever Tree, a short film set in the 1920s that follows a young Black girl as she travels to Africa in search of a tree that promises eternal life. A long-time animal rights advocate, Ms. Lee Perez also co-hosted the show Animal Attractions for PBS in 2007 and wrote Share The Dream: Building Noah’s Ark One Prayer at a Time, a work of narrative non-fiction.

Mr. Daymyen Layne, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), said, “We chose Ms. Lee Perez as this year’s speaker because her work encourages female empowerment and inspires students to elevate their voices.”

Before Ms. Lee Perez delivered her speech on campus, Mr. Layne said, “I think it will be eye-opening for not only women, but for men who hear her stories. Her books share real experiences that students face.”