WASHINGTON, D.C. (WIAT) — Some Birmingham City Schools students are in the nation’s capital. Two students and their chaperones along with Jefferson County Commissioner Shelia Tyson are attending the Eighth Annual Black Women’s Roundtable.

CBS 42 cameras caught up with the group as they were leaving Thursday morning. Commissioner Tyson says the students will be discussing issues related to black women and meet with Alabama lawmakers.

Tyson hopes students will learn from the roundtable.

Commissioner Tyson said, ” [I hope they learn] that they do have a voice and they can actually speak for themselves. You got to learn how to write your Congressperson, learn how to write your senator, call them and address issues in your community so I think this right here will teach them not to be afraid of public officials that we do listen and they will have a face-to-face conversation with their public officials.”

The students are from Wenonah High School and Parker High School. They will return to Birmingham on Monday.