BTS Academy Member Launches “Femme Alliance” Club at Murrow

Lyla Kiani, a BTS Academy member and junior at Murrow High School, is keeping herself busy during the virtual academic year as the leader of her newly founded student club “Femme Alliance.”

The club, which meets via Zoom on Fridays, aims to provide a safe space for the discussion of women’s issues and experiences. According to Kiani, past topics have included body positivity, schoolwide politics, and the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

“We like to have open discussions,” said Kiani. “Everyone has different ideas on what they want out of the club, and we want to honor that.”

Under Kiani, Femme Alliance has grown quickly despite it being a virtual-only club. Kiani believes the success of the club lies with how it has filled a missing space within the school.

“I think everyone can agree that this space is needed,” Kiani said. “There’s always been a lack of action on issues that pertain to women. This is where we can address that.”

For Kiani, running Femme Alliance is also a way to redirect the free time she now has with the high school wrestling season being postponed. Though she says she is looking forward to getting back on the mats, she is deeply invested in the continued growth of the club.

“With everything going on in the world right now, we’re just taking everything as it comes,” said Kiani. “We have wider goals to educate, and we are excited to delve into the world of activism.”