ALSO INSIDE: 2013 Founders Day

THE alumnae MAGAZINE OF SPELMAN COLLEGE VOLUME 123 NUMBER 2 summer 2013 speLmaN Messenger

All submissions should be sent to: EDITOR Spelman Messenger Jo Moore Stewart Office of Alumnae Affairs 350 Spelman Lane, S.W., Box 304 COPY EDITOR Atlanta, GA 30314 Janet M. Barstow OR Graphic Design [email protected] Garon Hart Submission Deadlines: Winter Issue: January 1 – May 31 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Summer Issue: June 1 – December 31 Eloise A. Alexis, C’86 ALUMNAE NOTES Joyce Davis Alumnae Notes is dedicated to the following: Tomika DePriest, C’89 • Education (advanced degree) Kassandra Kimbriel Jolley • Personal (birth of a child or marriage) Sharon E. Owens, C’76 • Professional Please include the date of the event in your WRITERS submission. S.A. Reid TAKE NOTE! Lorraine Robertson Take Note! is dedicated to the following Angela Brown Terrell alumnae achievements: • Published PHOTOGRAPHERS • Appearing in films, television or on stage Spelman Archives • Special awards, recognition, and appointments Please include the date of the event in your Jo Moore Stewart (iJo) submission. Julie Yarbrough, C’91 BOOK NOTES Book Notes is dedicated to alumnae authors. Please submit review copies.

The Spelman Messenger is published twice IN MEMORIAM a year (Summer and Winter) by Spelman We honor our Spelman sisters. If you receive College, 350 Spelman Lane, S.W., Atlanta, notice of the death of a Spelman sister, please Georgia 30314-4399, free of charge for contact the Office of Alumnae Affairs at alumnae, donors, trustees and friends of the (404) 270-5048 or Sharon Owens, director of College. Recipients wishing to change the alumnae affairs, at [email protected]. address to which the Spelman Messenger is For verification purposes, please include a printed sent should notify the editor, giving both old program, newspaper acknowledgment or electronic and new addresses. Third-class postage paid link with your submission. at Atlanta, Georgia. Publication No. 510240

Credo The Spelman Messenger, founded in 1885, is dedicated to participating in the ongoing education of our readers through enlightening articles designed to promote lifelong learning. The Spelman Messenger is the alumnae magazine of Spelman College and is committed to educating, serving and empowering Black women. Monday -Friday 10:00a.m.to5:00p.m.UTC/GMT-5 USA CountryCode (1)757.965.8092 International Residents:Youmay alsocall: 8:00 a.m.to11:00p.m.EST Mon. -Fri. 1-800-971-5542 Update yourinformationbycalling: to ensurethatyourlistingwillbecurrentintheupcomingpublication. edition. Thank youin advancefor your participation intheDirectory project your briefessayonhowSpelmaninfluencedyou,anewfeatureof the2013 Harris Connectrecently.PleaseseeyouremailfromSpelmanCollege to submit Directory. Youmayhavereceivedanemail,phonecallorpostcard from We have partnered with Harris Connect to create a 2013 Alumnae Today Alumnae DirectoryReminder Contents Messenger SPELMAN

Photo: Julie Yarbrough, C’91

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for ahealthierSpelmanwoman Founders Day2013 B The WellnessRevolution:Chartingthecourse feature Books &Papers In Memoriam Alumnae Notes The WellnessRevolution:PresidentialPerspective Voices Dulcina “Doe”DeLaRosaWinfrey,C’84 Danielle Winfrey,C’2013,keepspacewithmom Eat Better.MoveMore.SleepWell. The WellnessRevolution– on thecover summer 2013 Volume 123, Number2 y S.A. R S.A. d i e Taronda EliseSpencer,C’80

Photo: iJo-Jo Moore stewart

The Wellness Revolution Q&A with President Beverly Daniel Tatum

Spelman’s new, highly publicized Wellness Revolution has just wrapped up its first year. Planning continues for its further development and expansion. This radical choice for working to change student understanding of the importance of eating right, moving more, and sleeping well for their long-term health and wellness has as its leader President Beverly Daniel Tatum. Dr. Tatum pressed the College into action in response to alarming statistics regarding the health status of young Black women generally and incoming Spelman freshman, specifically. The Messenger recently caught up with Dr. Tatum to get an update on the Revolution’s progress and its potential for positively impacting generations of Spelman women. She shared her thoughts in this Q&A. Voices

Photos: Julie Yarbrough, C’91

2 SPELMAN MESSENGER Q: One of the arguably toughest days of your Our story has even gone international with tenure as president came last year with your reporting by the BBC. In general, the tone of announcement that Spelman would eliminate the reporting has been very positive, lauding us its athletics program in favor of giving more for making a bold and innovative decision. I am financial focus to shoring up fitness and well- proud that we are in the forefront of what I hope ness opportunities on its campus. How have you will become a trend as other institutions con- been able to move the college past that difficult sider how to foster healthy lifestyle habits among time and to boost buy-in by students, alum- their students – a real Wellness Revolution! nae, faculty and staff in order for the school to change for the benefit of the health of the Spel- Q: Please explain the origins of the Wellness man community? Revolution’s motto: “Eating Better, Mov- ing More, Sleeping Well,” and the College’s A: I have found that the facts speak for them- planned holistic approach to revolutionizing the selves. Sharing the information about the high value those in the Spelman community place on cost of our intercollegiate athletics program healthier living. (almost a million dollars) relative to the small number of students participating in team sports A: When we began talking about the elements (approximately 80), and highlighting the statis- of a campus-wide wellness program, the first tics regarding the current health status of young aspect we discussed was increased opportunity for Black women and the negative consequences of physical activity, “moving more,” because exten- a sedentary lifestyle has been enough for most sive research has shown that 30 minutes of daily people, including alumnae, to see the advan- exercise – even just brisk walking – is one of the tages of reallocating our resources to create a most effective interventions for improving over- wellness program that could benefit our entire all health. But of course, community. While some student athletes are improved diet and nutri- still quite disappointed with the decision, others tion are also essential to have acknowledged to me that they can under- good health, so “eating stand the logic of our decision. Certainly we are better” had to be part already seeing an increase in the number of stu- of the conversation. The dents, faculty and staff taking advantage of our changes we are making Wellness Center programs and they are enjoying in the cafeteria reflect the benefits of more physical activity! this awareness. And, though it is often over- Q: Overall, how happy have you been with the looked as a component attention the Wellness Revolution is garnering? of good health, research- Is there a potential for the college to be a trail- ers tell us that getting blazer among other colleges in making a com- enough sleep is necessary mitment to improving the lives of students in for maintaining one’s this way? health. Chronic lack of sleep can lead to weight A: I am always thrilled when Spelman College gain and a shortened life has positive visibility! It has been a very pleas- span. Both physical and ant surprise to see how much media attention emotional well-being our decision to shift from NCAA intercollegiate can be improved by “eat- sports to a campus-wide wellness initiative has ing better, moving more generated. Since November 2012 when we pub- and sleeping well.” This licly announced our decision, we’ve had feature core knowledge should articles in most major news outlets, including be part of the education prime “drive time” mentions on NPR and front we provide. page coverage in the Sunday New York Times.

Summer 2013 3 Research shows that Q: Alarming statistics aside, how much of the and be inspired to make lifestyle changes for change underway at Spelman is a reflection of healthier outcomes, and then that their knowl- increased physical your own personal philosophy about nutrition edge will spread to our wider community. and exercise and of the changes you have made activity is the single in your own life that are worthy of emulation? Q: How well is Spelman built for this kind of systemic change – human or otherwise – that, most impactful A: My interest in nutrition and exercise goes back perhaps, rivals other extraordinary transforma- to my own years as a student when I developed tive periods in the College’s history? thing someone can the habit of daily exercise – then, my main activi- do to improve his or ties were swimming laps and practicing yoga; later A: I believe the time is right for the Wellness it became walking and strength training. I have Revolution. More and more people recognize the her health. been a vegetarian since 1978 and those lifestyle public health threat that our sedentary lifestyle choices regarding diet and exercise have served me has created and want to change it. We have the well in terms of my overall health. In the first building blocks we need – a knowledgeable and few years of my presidency, I often neglected enthusiastic staff, an interested faculty, and will- my exercise routine because my work schedule ing students eager to learn more about their own was so demanding, and frequent business trips health requirements. And because we are reallocat- disrupted my routine. The consequence of that ing resources, we already have an identifiable fund- neglect was steady weight gain and an increased ing source for our initiative. We have one major risk of diabetes that runs in my family. Recog- liability – inadequate space. Read Hall was built in nizing that I was sacrificing my health, I made 1950 when we had approximately 500 students. my exercise routine a priority and now always The space is not designed to accommodate the have my exercise gear in my suitcase. Gradually fitness needs of today’s population of more than

I lost the weight I had gained, and I feel great! 2000 students and nearly 600 employees. We Papers need $18 million to solve that problem with an Q: What’s your long-term vision for the Revo- expanded facility, and we are already a one-third lution and how will you measure its success? of the way toward that fundraising goal. Ideally, we will be able to start that project in early 2014. A: Research shows that increased physical activ- ity is the single most impactful thing someone Q: How can alumnae, the larger community can do to improve his or her health. Regular and other partners in Spelman’s progress con- exercise (30 minutes or more a day) has been tribute to the Wellness Revolution’s long-term shown to dramatically reduce the risk of diabe- success? tes, high blood pressure, heart disease, Alzheim- er’s, depression, anxiety and fatigue, as well as A: As we raise funds to address our facility improve cognition. Though we plan to develop needs, we are actively seeking individuals will- a comprehensive program through the coordi- ing to invest in our building project. We need to nated efforts of our physical education, wellness, raise $12 million more before we can begin con- counseling and health services staff that includes struction, so that is an immediate priority – and education on nutrition, stress reduction and we welcome the support of all interested parties other dimensions of wellness, our initial mea- in that effort. Beyond that fundraising though, sure of success will be whether we have fostered we want the Wellness Revolution to spread a “culture of movement” on the campus as mea- throughout our community, broadly defined. sured by increased physical activity. With our We plan to use technology to create a virtual physical education curriculum focused on the community that alumnae and other community fundamentals of fitness and the opportunity for partners can participate in for their own benefit, individualized attention through our Wellness and for the benefit of all whose lives they will Center, we hope everyone will experience the touch, as together we spread the knowledge that

physical and emotional benefits of movement can improve health outcomes for all of us. • Books &

4 SPELMAN MESSENGER Book Reviews Angela Brown Terrell

“By Any Greens Necessary: A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Great, Get Healthy, Lose Weight, and Look Phat” by Tracye Lynn McQuirter, MPH (Lawrence Hill Books)

Tracye Lynn McQuirter knows all the benefits of being vege- tarian or vegan (no meat, eggs, dairy products). It took several attempts to fully embrace a total, plant-based diet, but as she became aware of the health institutions and studies that etarians, but interested in eating benefits, it became easier to illustrate how the average diet healthier – were treated to spicy convert. Now, after more than in the United States is the root sweet potato oven-baked “fries,” 20 years as a vegan, with a mas- cause of many of the diseases barbequed tofu (yes! And deli- that are killing us and caus- cious!), greens, cornbread and Papers ter’s degree in public health nutrition, and constant train- ing super-high medical costs. more. It was food that “made ing and involvement in teach- Obesity, diabetes, clogged you wanna holler.” ing the value of plant food arteries, heart disease, and even McQuirter encourages her diets, McQuirter has written dementia, are the products of readers to switch to organic this book to help inform and what we eat. Not to say that fruits and vegetables as much as lead people, Black women a vegetarian/vegan will always possible, to season foods with especially, to eating a healthy, live longer, (though statistics herbs and spices instead of salt meat-free diet. support that, too!), but the or sugar, and to learn more “By Any Greens…” is not quality of the life you live can about healthier substitutes to about dull food. McQuirter, who be enhanced. satisfy our tastebuds. participated recently in a Well- Spelman College took When I began my journey ness program at Spelman, knows a giant leap last year and to become vegan more than that Black people, especially, are launched a Wellness Revolu- a year ago, one of the first not going to be attracted to eat- tion, in which the focus at the books I grabbed was “By Any ing tasteless food. And she’s not school will be on physical fit- Greens Necessary.” The title asking folks to give up mama’s ness programs instead of the intrigued me! But as I absorbed fried chicken and macaroni intercollegiate sports program. the wealth of information and cheese to chomp on bland So, a nearly $1 million sports McQuirter shared about health greens. Not at all! Her recipes budget for about 80 students issues and some of the testimo- in this book are easy and appeal will be transferred to a school- nies of people who switched to people who love to eat. “This wide fitness program to benefit to plant-based diets, I knew I is not about going on a diet or the whole student body. was on the right path to bet- giving up tasty food….This is I attended a Vegan Soul ter health. If you want a good about changing your life,” she Food cooking class held by introduction to changing your

Books & writes. McQuirter in Washington, eating habits, you will be well McQuirter offers facts and DC, earlier this year. The par- served with this book. figures from major health ticipants – not all vegans or veg-

Summer 2013 5 “American Tapestry” Piecing together the stories but then, why would they?” by Rachel L. Swarns (Amistad) from the past was no easy ven- Finally, armed with the DNA ture. From Melvinia, about swabs of Mrs. Tribble and Jewell What illustrates this book is whom little is known, to the Barclay, the great-great-grand- its subtitle: The Story of the living White family members, daughter of Melvinia Shields, Black, White, and Multiracial many didn’t want to be rec- along with three other samples Ancestors of Michelle Obama. ognized or own up to having from relatives who wanted And better yet, in the words a slavery-based past. Swarms anonymity, the centuries-old of author James McBride: “A found that in many families, mystery unraveled: A direct grand, important book that both Black and White, little genetic link was made between shows how American blood- information had been passed the Shields family and Michele lines are rarely wholly Black or down about the years of slav- Obama’s family. purely White, neither one race ery. Former slaves did not “Michelle LaVaughn Rob- nor another.” want to talk about those times, inson Obama is the inheritor Rachel Swarns, a New York or were too young to know of of our nation’s complex, often Times correspondent became their parentage, and so much unspoken lineage,” Swarns fascinated with the First Lady’s information was lost because writes. roots following an article she of dislocation, pain and shame. The power of this revelation wrote with a colleague, Jodi Before migrating from the goes far beyond our First Lady Kantor, in 2009, and genealo- South, Mrs. Obama’s Black to the whole American scene. gist Megan Smokenyak, who ancestors were subjected to the Without a doubt, if we search had discovered Mrs. Obama’s restrictions of Jim Crow legis- deep enough, most people in first known Black ancestor: lation. So much so, that even these United States and truth- Melvinia Shields, who was a though they migrated to north- fully, beyond, will find we slave girl when she birthed ern states where life was not as are all related beyond culture, Dolphus and Jane, fathered divided, they were still cautious country and neighborhood. by one of the family of Henry in dealing with White people. We are human. Shields, her owner. While still Said her maternal uncle, Nome- Swarns has written an living near the Shields family nee Robinson, of his father, insightful book full of suspense, after slavery ended, Melvinia who was born in South Caro- discovery, and reality that will gave birth to twins, Alice and lina, “If I remember well, I can’t serve to enlighten all readers. Talley, Laura, and later, Henry ever remember my dad having – all biracial children. a White friend,” Swarns writes. “South By Southeast” Over the next two years, Swarns delved into the White A Tennyson Hardwick Novel, Swarns dug through a myriad branch of Mrs. Obama’s fam- presented by Blair Underwood of census reports, and geneal- ily, too. One, Joan Tribble, the by Tananarive Due and ogy records in courthouses, great-great-granddaughter of Steven Barnes. dusty archives, and libraries in Melvinia Shields’ owner, was (Atri) South Carolina and Georgia, open to going, through the and more, tracing the north- records of her newly discov- In this fourth book in the Ten- bound migration of the First ered relatives. Her great-great- nyson Hardwick series of mys- Lady’s ancestry – both Black grandfather was Henry Shields teries, actor Blair Underwood and White. Some living family of Clayton County, Georgia, teams with writers Tananarive members were cooperative and who owned Melvinia and Dol- Due and Steven Barnes to take others wanted to bury the past; phus, Swarns writes. “She grew the reader on another thrill-laden its memories of our shameful up hearing stories about those adventure with actor-turned- slave history being too pain- ancestors and their children, detective, Tennyson Hardwick. ful to uncover. “Sometime tales of struggling White farmers Lights, action, cameras fol- around 1875,” Swarns writes, of Irish ancestry who were dirt low Hardwick, a former porn- “Melvinia cut her ties to the poor and had little more than star turned legit, who has a White family that had so elementary-school educations. nose for trouble and solving defined her young life. And …Black people never figured problems. This time, he gets she started the trek north.” into any of the family stories, involved in solving murders by

6 SPELMAN MESSENGER ing Blood,” and more, plus hor- Celebrating Our Light. ing, “God loves me,” “My ror-fiction “Joplin’s Ghost” and African American women heart will guide me if I listen,” “The Good House.” Her non- who lived under the slave “I bring humor and joy to my fiction works include the highly system in the Americas were life,” and, “My friends are my acclaimed “Freedom in the unwilling or unable to share sisters.” Family: A Mother-Daughter their feelings about the One important lesson is Memoir of the Fight for Civil insufferable conditions they learning the art of forgiveness. Rights,” which she penned with had experienced. They were “It is the power of healing, the her mother, the late activist bought and sold like chattel, possibility of an open future in Patricia Stephens Due. taught that they were infe- spite of what has gone wrong,” With her writer husband, rior and unintelligent, raped, writes Wade, who was a guest Steven Barnes, she has penned beaten, and had their chil- speaker recently as part of Spel- several works including “Dev- dren sold away from them – man’s Wellness initiative. il’s Wake” and “Domino all memories too painful and Through interviews and the Falls,” two apocalyptic novels shameful to remember. Even testimonies of many women involving disease, freaks and after slavery ended, systems as they worked through their zombies. Barnes, a prolific sci- were established to limit edu- problems, Wade and Richard- ence fiction writer has written a cation and mobility of Black son offer valuable solutions to number of books placing Black people that kept them in facing and ending Black wom- characters in other-worldly another form of bondage. en’s problems with self worth. situations, including, “Lion’s Yet, Black people – and Blood” and “Zulu Heart: A women, especially – survived Photo: iJo-Jo Moore stewart Novel of Slavery and Freedom and prospered to a degree – Tananarive Due an alternate America.” but not without paying a high a serial killer while working price in emotional stability, on the set of a movie about which has been passed down zombies, and finds himself through generations, the entangled in a web that could authors note. prove fatal to him, his friends Probing this legacy, Wade and especially, to his nearly and Richardson are reaching adopted daughter. out to today’s women on how There’s not a dull reading to claim their rightful inheri- moment as Hardwick’s life tance to love, by understand- twists and turns into almost ing some of the past negative unbelievable situations, mak- influences they learned from ing “Southeast” an eye-open- their mothers, grandmothers, ing experience. Just imagining sisters and others that have Underwood as Hardwick, hampered their emotional and is more than enough to take spiritual growth. your mind off the daily grind. “What Mama Couldn’t Tell Some of the issues the Let’s hope a movie is in the Us About Love” authors discuss are anti-inti- making. by Brenda Lane Richardson macy beliefs, including, “There The three other books are: and Dr. Brenda Wade will never be enough of any- “Sage Carrington: Eighth- “Casanegra,” “In the Night of (Harper Collins) thing I need, especially love,” Grade Science Sleuth” the Heat,” and “From Cape- “I’m not good enough to be by Justin Scott Parr town with Love.” What began as a conversation loved,” and, “I have to con- (Gumshoe Press) Tananarive Due, cur- between noted journalist- trol everyone and everything rently the Cosby Chair for author Brenda Richardson around me to protect myself Sage Carrington and her best the Humanities at Spelman, is and renowned psychologist- from being hurt again,” to friend, Isabel Flores, are set known for her award-winning author Dr. Brenda Wade, name a few. to enjoy their summer vaca- books including the science- turned into this collaboration To counter these, they offer tion and are hard at work fiction series “My Soul to Keep subtitled: Healing the Emo- some “life-enhancing beliefs experimenting with all kinds (African Immortals), “The Liv- tional Legacy of Slavery by we have indentified,” includ- of science projects. Both have

Summer 2013 7 dreams of becoming scientists, nology that also had characters to resolve her problems, Pear- American women are at higher and love experimenting and that looked like his cousin and son, a doctoral degree in edu- risk than other ethnic groups. seeing how things work. her friends. So Parr, (who said cation candidate, tells women BE AWARE!” She adds that The friends – Sage is Afri- he once wanted to be a hur- to ask themselves: What in emotional and psychologi- can-American and Isabel is ricane chaser/meteorologist) Hell Do You Want? How cal abuse – including verbal, Latina — live in Washing- chucked his “good” career Much Abuse Will You Take? threats, humiliation and mind ton, DC, taking advantage in information technology Why Do You Stay There? games – are as harmful. of all the museums, history, to indulge his own quest for These are questions Pear- After illustrating all of and technology offered there. adventure by traveling and son had to come to terms the warning signs of abuse, Sage, Isabel, and their multi- experiencing other cultures, with herself. After much Pearson offers advice on how cultural mix of friends explore then set out to create this series. soul-searching, counseling to leave a dangerous situa- the city’s monuments, build Parr, now readying the and prayer, she came to real- tion, how to protect yourself, rockets that really fly, play second book in the series, ize love does not curse you and what agencies are avail- baseball, and compete in a has set up an interactive web out one minute and in the able to give help nationwide. soap box derby to try to win a page that allows the readers next, want to be intimate. She Being prepared is important, chance to go to a space camp. to play games, solve myster- writes that love is not lust or she stresses, and offers lists They share their different cul- ies, and discover more about greed. Love is kind. And don’t of things you should be pre- tural experiences and com- the world of science. What’s be fooled, she cautions, “no pared to take with you, what mon interests. They also do most important, of course, is man can love you unless he to do to protect your children, many of the silly things that that the book is fun to read. loves God.” and what precautions to take 12-year-olds do during the It will be a welcome resource Pearson advises, “If you to protect yourself after you long summer months, such for parents and educators to are in an abusive relation- leave. as splashing in muddy rain encourage girls to take part in ship – GET OUT. It only Join a support group that puddles, teasing their friends, science and technology. gets worse…MORE HELL is can counsel you and help you riding bikes and even battling Contact: www.sagecar- on the way.” A 2008 report get back on your feet, she with a bully and his buddies. rington.com from the Centers of Disease advises. Pearson is a volunteer One afternoon, the girls Control and Prevention in leader with Celebrate Recov- find an ancient-looking paper “What In Hell Do You Atlanta, she writes, revealed ery, a Christian-based group with a riddle that hints at a Want? Finding Peace From that offers a confidential pro- hidden treasure. But in their Living Hell On Earth” gram for “freedom from your quest to find the treasure, they By Akeda Pearson hurts, habits, and hang-ups.” encounter several obstacles and With Guidebook (Contact: www.celebrater- disappointments that may hin- ecovery.com). der them from their discovery. Akeda Pearson, writer, educa- In the Guidebook jour- Their curiosity, tenacity, and tor, mentor, public speaker, nal that accompanies this persistence takes them on sev- and community activist, has book, “Finding Peace From eral adventures as they try to compiled a domestic violence Living Hell on Earth,” Pear- solve the mystery, and gives the awareness book based on her son guides the participants reader a chance to see the rich own abusive experience. through self-examination culture the capital city provides How she survived being and scriptures, which can be through their eyes. locked into many years of an useful for support groups or Author Justin Scott Parr, abusive marriage in which women’s groups dealing with 33, was inspired by his young she led a broken life filled domestic violence issues. Con- cousin, Destiny to write this with low self-esteem, fear and tact Akeda Pearson at www. series of adventure-mystery depression, is the basis of this domestic violence was one of akedapearson.com. books for girls. He said he guide for other women in the the leading causes of death for noticed there were few books same predicament. women ages 15-44, with two Angela Brown Terrell is about young girls who were Using scriptures from the million women being injured. a writer and editor based in interested in science and tech- Bible that gave her the strength “African-American and Native Columbia, Md.

8 SPELMAN MESSENGER Book Notes L o rra i n e R o b e r t s o n

Geraldine Phillips-Davis, C’49, published her historical fiction novel In Spite of Color (Crossbooks/Life Way) in 2012. The book chronicles the history of African Americans from plantations to the White House, from a positive perspective. It tells the story of a compassionate master, Levi Calvin Roundtree, who did not believe in brutality. He bonded in friendship with his slave, Marcus Stanley, and this friendship was passed down from generation to generation. Levi’s three sons and Marcus’ three sons were inseparable while they were growing up. Filled with vivid detail, In Spite of Color shows how friendship can transcend race, color and time.

Minnie Boyer Woodruff, C’59, published My Doctors Can See You Now: A Mother’s Story in 2012. The book is an historical reflection of her life growing up in a family of eight children during the time of segregation and how her life experiences influenced the way she raised her two daughters, Edythe and Conchita, both board-certified phy- sicians. She shares the extensive rewards of close parenting based on a strong value system, development of self-confidence and a spirit of tenacity once a goal is set. In her memoir, Woodruff demonstrates that while at times it may be difficult, it is certainly possible to raise children to fly high.

Kiini Ibura Salaam, C’94, released Ancient, Ancient, a collection of short fiction (Aqueduct Press) in May 2012. The book has been praised by many of Ms. Salaam’s industry peers, including acclaimed author and critic Nalo Hopkinson, who said, “Salaam treats words like the seductive weapons they are. She wields them to weave fierce, gorgeous stories that stroke your sensibilities, challenge your preconceptions and leave you breathless with their beauty.” Ms. Salaam’s stories are so permeated with sensuality that in her introduction to Ancient, Ancient, Nisi Shawl, author of the award- winning Filter House, writes, “Sexuality-cum-sensuality is the experiential link between mind and matter, the vivid and eternal refutation of the alleged dichotomy between them. This understanding … is the throbbing glistening heart of Kiini’s body of work. This book is alive. Be not afraid.”

Summer 2013 9 Messenger feature The Wellness Revolution Charting the course for a healthier Spelman woman

By S.A. Reid

our years ago, Danielle Winfrey, C’2013 said Winfrey, an early Wellness Revolution convert F who begins at the Morehouse School of Medicine in arrived on campus a first year student who August. “This has been fun. You don’t have to be stuck excelled in the classroom but struggled in a certain place, physically or mentally.” with fitness. That’s exactly the message administration officials Now fast forward to this past spring. hope will sink in as the Revolution continues to take Winfrey graduated in May with a degree shape to get students to, as its motto suggests: “Eat Bet- ter. Move More. Sleep Well.” The immediate action in biology and a “diploma” of sorts in is to produce a cultural change on campus that shifts good nutrition and fitness habits that she the focus from just getting “skinnier” to becoming hopes will be a springboard to a longer, healthier through improved nutrition and exercise hab- healthier life. its. However, the program is designed to be holistic to include body, mind and sprit. Gone are the sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy food And students aren’t the only ones getting caught choices that had her slowly sliding down the slippery up in this revolutionary wave of health conscious- slope to chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and hyper- ness. The wellness message also has created a rising tension, that disproportionately plague African Ameri- tide of support among faculty, staff and alumnae like cans, particularly Black women. Winfrey, who has dropped four dress sizes, picked up long-distance running and become a gym rat and vegetarian, credits Spelman for assisting in her transformation. The College now counts the for- mer elementary school cheerleader among its most vocal supporters. She has become an ambassador of its new Wellness Revolution that in its first year has the taken Spelman community by storm. Winfrey and other students like her are a testament to the Revolu- tion’s early impact in transforming the lives of young women who have made a choice to change the world by attending Spelman. “It feels good to know that you can literally change your whole life Wellness convocation participants: Danielle Winfrey, C’2013,Dr. Brenda Wade, – body, thinking and eating habits,” Doborah Szekely, Tracy McQuirter, MoNique, President Beverly Daniel Tatum Photos: Julie Yarbrough, C’91

10 SPELMAN MESSENGER Winfrey’s mother, Dulcina “Doe” De La Rosa Winfrey, C’84. Inspired by her daughter’s progress, the elder Winfrey has made the Revolution a family affair by trimming 25 pounds of her own over the past year. “We are usually passionate about the things we do. We were very passionate about not eating healthy,“ Winfrey said. “When she used her force of will to change, I was totally impressed. Once she started to lose, I was like ‘Oh no, you are not leaving me behind.’ ”

Health Consciousness Revisited Danielle Winfrey, C’2013 with Winfrey introduces the Wellness panel. Spelman launched the Revolution last fall after her mom Doe Winfrey, C’84 making the bold move to drop collegiate athletics in favor of working to improve students’ overall wellness. The College administration hopes to 1883 with the hiring of Dr. Sophia Jones, the build on what it began this past academic year first African American woman to graduate from and to expand the Revolution’s emphasis beyond the University of Michigan Medical College and physical health and wellness to include mental the College’s first professor with an M.D. Dur- and spiritual well-being. The hope is that such ing her tenure, Jones helped care for ailing Spel- efforts will lessen the prevalence of many of the man students. top health risks that affect Spelman students and A century later, Spelman helped move the other African American women. As identified in discussion forward when the College’s Wom- Health First! The Black Women’s Wellness Guide, en’s Research and Resources Center teamed up those risks are cancer, depression, diabetes, heart with the National Women’s Health Network disease, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, obesity, to hold on Spelman’s campus the first National STDs, stroke and violence. Black Women’s Health Conference in 1983. Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, C’64, co-author of The seminal event was a catalyst in the launch the 2012 guide, says what makes this initiative of the Black Women’s Health Movement and so revolutionary is that it goes beyond good the founding that year in Atlanta of the National health to emphasize wellness as a way of life. It Black Women’s Health project, now known as also has the potential to change the way Spel- the Black Women’s Health Imperative. man students see themselves and how the world views them by supplanting negative stereotypes Revolution Picks Up Steam of Black women with a more positive image of This past academic year, the Revolution and the them as vibrant, contributing, lively and fit. flurry of related activities and national media Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, C’64 “It centers who we are as we are and makes attention it has generated have been diffi- wellness intentional,” adds Hinton Hoytt, presi- cult to ignore. “We have spent the greater dent and CEO of the Washington, D.C. -based part of this year really making the transi- Black Women’s Health Imperative, celebrat- tion,” Dr. Darnita Killian, vice president ing 30 years of working to improve the physi- for student affairs, says. “We want to have cal, mental and spiritual health status of Black an impact on the entire student body, as women and girls through advocacy, education, it relates to using finite resources, in a leadership and research. “In my mind, Spelman way that will help as many people in our is doing the right thing. It is helping to change community as possible,” says Killian, the culture at Spelman and the larger commu- C’79. “So we have done that this year nity by making wellness the cultural norm.” through a series of programs.” The Revolution is part of Spelman’s histori- A major one was the Wellness cal continuum of care and interest in the health Scholars program that provides stu- and wellness of Black women that dates back to dents with wellness assessments,

Summer 2013 11 personalized fitness plans, one-on-one nutrition 50 pounds her senior year through improved diet counseling, efficacy training, and other support and exercise. She couldn’t be happier with her in their journey toward improved healthy life- progress. “I wish Spelman would have done this styles. The initiative drew 25 participants in its while I was a freshman,” says Dunn. “I feel like pilot year. College officials point to its potential having good health – mind, body and spirit – is as a possible signature program. something that can help me succeed elsewhere.” “We will be meeting this summer to talk about The Wellness Scholars president’s senior cap- the next steps of how we want to continue with stone thesis, “Fat Like Me,” based on the health the Revolution and how we want to get the first- perceptions of obese Black college women, has year students involved this year,” said Brenda helped heighten the Spelman community’s sensi- Dalton, director of the Student Health Center. tivity to the problem of weight-bias as it relates to The College also: their participation in fitness activities on campus. •• Held a 5K walk/run as a part of the Founders Day 2013 celebration that drew more than 700 Wellness Center Gears Up A.J. Johnson, C’85, founder of AJ Zone participants, of which about 60 percent were Engaging students who may have reservations students. A.J. Johnson, C’85, founder of AJ about coming into the gym setting is going to Zone, led the warm up and set the pace. Plans be important to the Revolution’s success. Afri- are for the 5K to become an annual event. can American women, in particular, feel pres- •• Sponsored a wellness roundtable that featured sure to be voluptuous and curvy, says Chavonne a conversation between Dr. Beverly Tatum Shorter, assistant director of wellness. “The and Deborah Szekely, “godmother” of the problem for a lot of people is dealing with body wellness movement; the convocation featured image,” she explains, adding, “You don’t have advice from such notables as comedienne and to drop too much weight. We want you to be actress Mo’Nique, psychologist and author healthy, but at a size that is comfortable for you.” Dr. Brenda Wade, and vegan and public Shorter adds, “The social, spiritual, men- health nutrition expert Tracy McQuirter. tal, environmental, financial, occupational and •• Introduced healthier meal options that include intellectual aspects of health and wellness are Mo’Nique lower calorie and vegetarian selections, some equally important on Spelman’s Wellness Wheel dishes made to order. as we engage more students who may have reser- •• Began fundraising for a new recreation and vations. Plans are to increase the involvement of wellness facility that will replace the existing other professionals on campus, such as counsel- Read Hall and offer more cutting-edge pro- ing services and the Wisdom Center, in accom- gramming and fitness equipment in order to plishing that goal.” reflect the College’s commitment to produc- The Wellness Revolution has brought more ing improved student wellness. visibility to the department of physical edu- •• Expanded hours along with more creative pro- cation, recreation and wellness, formerly the gramming for students, adding for example, department of physical education and athletics. classes in boxing and Hula, a Hawaiian dance. The recent name change reflects Spelman’s shift “What we really want to do is have the stu- away from collegiate athletics. dent body get into the habit of doing things for “I think that [the Revolution] has had a Dr. Brenda Wade their health now that they will carry with them wonderful impact on us in that we’ve seen a as they do with the other parts of the Spelman number of students sign up for wellness and educational experience,” Killian explains. various fitness programs, not for credit but for Wellness Scholar Mercedez Dunn, C’2013, is self-improvement,” said Germaine McAuley, taking her new habits into the next phase of her director of physical education, recreation and life. The future sociologist already has what’s she wellness. “We’re going to have to increase and learned about good nutrition and fitness packed improve our curriculum for physical education.” and ready to roll out at the University of Michi- That could mean the introduction of intramu- gan, where she will begin doctoral studies this fall. ral sports and efforts to better integrate physical The 5’4” Dunn, who has seen her weight yo-yo up education and wellness. Interest is high in hav- and down until she reached nearly 300 pounds, ing students continue with some form of physical credits the Revolution for helping her shed nearly activity through the Wellness Program beyond

Photos: Julie Yarbrough, C’91

1212 SPELMAN MESSENGER Britney Robinson, C’2013, is among those that appreciate the availability and variety of wellness and fitness classes offered. “You can work out at any time of the day and in any kind of style, if you want cardio or strength training,” said the Spelman senior math major, whose favorite class is an early morning boot camp that she was at first reluctant to try but now can’t do without. “They are open from morning until midnight. It’s wonderful.” Deborah Szekely Students Fit For Success Daria Clegg, C’2013, a Wellness Scholar who runs 5Ks, says she is 50 pounds lighter and feels like a “new person” after taking on a six-day-a- week exercise regime last fall. The former athlete admits that she had let herself go. Shortness of breath, achy knees and general concerns about her eating habits and physical health provided the motivation to get moving. “Just being a senior, I knew time was of the essence,” says Clegg, who begins dental school at East Carolina University this fall. “I knew I wanted to improve this situa- Tracy McQuirter tion before I left Spelman, so it prompted me to get serious about working out.” Her Wellness Scholar status produced addi- tional benefits as well. “People had been coming up to me asking how could they get started, espe- cially freshmen and sophomores,” Clegg says. Spelman senior Jennifer Ibeanusi can attest to that trend. Students, she says, are becoming more knowledgeable “in pretty good numbers” about the importance of getting fit for life versus just for spring break or summer. The Wellness Scholar offers as evidence the uptick in requests for her personal training services and in the number of students who made use of Read Hall since the Revolution’s launch. Chavonne Shorter “It’s actually catching on pretty well,” says Ibeanusi, a personal trainer and former high the two P.E. classes required for graduation. school cheerleader who has gone from panting The curriculum might include fewer sports- after walking across campus to running three oriented classes, such as volleyball and basketball, miles in 29 minutes. “I’ve seen increased inter- and more physical activity and fitness options like est in what it actually means to be healthy. Peo- jogging, swimming, weight training, yoga, step ple want to know what they should eat, how to aerobics, Tai Chi and outdoor education. work their body out and how much sleep they “I just think our students will really buy into should get.” what we’re trying to do,” McAuley says. “The To help the Revolution along, the Coils and change and transformation will take some time, Curls Hair Care Association, which promotes but for now where we’re heading and the recog- natural hair care, launched a “No Heat Challenge” nition we’re getting for the program being built to encourage students to go four weeks without has just been so wonderful for our students.” using heat on their hair. The challenge garnered

Summer 2013 13 The Wellness Revolution has brought more visibility to the department of physical education, recreation and wellness, formerly the department of physical education and athletics.

30 participants, including one who lost eight She has nothing but praise for the College’s pounds. Says Robinson: “With our initiative, decision to forgo NCAA Division III athletics they (students) were no longer able to use their for the greater good and predicts time will con- hair as an excuse not to work out.” firm the wisdom of working positively to affect the lives of the entire student body instead of Willing Workers for Wellness just 80 athletes. In launching the Revolution, the College has “Young people think they will live forever cast its net wide in enlisting help from alumnae and think things only happen to old people,” to get the message out and help raise money in Russell says. “They need to recognize that they support of this important cause. are ticking time bombs in terms of shortening Among them is Dr. Maxine Hayes, C’68, their lives. Starting a program now will help who couldn’t agree more with the Revolution’s them to live longer and feel better. Who doesn’t non-cosmetic emphasis and says the College has want to do that?” considerable potential to positively influence the Fellow alumnae Georgia State Rep. Stacey Y. health and fitness of generations of students that Abrams, C’95, believes she would now be a lot come through its gates. thinner and healthier had she had the benefit That initiative, she says, is an investment of the Revolution during her years at Spelman. worth making for the good of all. A physician by “So now at age 38–39, I have a lot of weight to training with a master’s degree in public health, lose, and I’m not as healthy as I should be. I’m Hayes has spent her professional life promoting working on it now,” said Abrams. “I’m using health, fitness and wellness. Her hope is that the Wellness Revolution as inspiration to start a Dr. Maxine Hayes, C’68 eating right and exercising will become as much revolution of my own.” a daily routine for Spelman students as it has Winfrey, who has gone from the couch to become for her. completing 5K races and training for a marathon “Women at Spelman are all bright and in 2014, is grateful to be an early beneficiary of capable of being leaders,” said Hayes, the State the College’s forward thinking that, so far, has Health Officer for Washington State Depart- had a positive impact on two generations of her ment of Public Health. “If they die early or pre- family. The Revolution, she says, gives students maturely, it’s a tragedy. We all lose.” the physical wherewithal to change the world Another is Spelman trustee Lovette Russell, and adds value to a Spelman education. C’83, who has her own inspirational story to “There are so many things that make a Spel- share regarding the value of being fit for life. man woman a Spelman woman. But to be pro- Russell suffers from non-curable, autoimmune fessionally trained and physically able to go out diseases that have weakened her muscles and into the world and compete is something that is her immune system, forcing her always to wear invaluable and unique to Spelman,” says Winfrey, gloves to protect her temperature- and touch- who served as one of the Revolution’s most vocal sensitive hands. student ambassadors. “It is just another way for As Russell tells it, she wouldn’t be alive today Spelman to be a leader. It’s changed my life.” if were not for being in great physical shape, the result of the fitness regime she began during her S.A. Reid is an Atlanta-based freelance writer days at Spelman. In fact, it was the symptoms and independent educational consultant who Lovette Russell, C’83 that surfaced during her training for the Iron specializes in college admissions planning and Man competition that prompted her to seek advisement. She has extensive experience in medical help. writing about education-related issues.

14 SPELMAN MESSENGER Through Our Open Window: Founders Day 2013 Celebrating Dr. Roslyn Pope, C’60, and the Alumnae of the Atlanta Student Movement

“For 132 years, Spelman College has educated and inspired women n April 11, 2013, Dr. Rosyln Pope, C’60, stood center stage Oin Sisters Chapel and accepted an honorary degree, Doctor of to recognize their purpose and realize their potential. This year’s Founders Day theme, Through Our Open Window, is inspired by Humane Letters, from her beloved alma mater. Fifty-three years the renovation of Laura Spelman Rockefeller Hall and its use as a earlier, Dr. Pope accepted another honor from her peers with residential and programmatic dwelling place for students partici- the responsibility of writing “An Appeal for Human Rights,” the pating in the Spelman College Social Justice Fellows Program. The official manifesto of the Atlanta Student Movement. architectural centerpiece of the Laura Spelman building is a win- “Having just returned from a year of study in Paris as a Merrill dow – a window through which generations of Spelman women Scholar, I was not in the mood to return to segregation and sec- have looked out onto the campus, visualizing their futures beyond ond-class citizenship,” recalled Dr. Pope. “Although ‘the Appeal’ the gates. In line with this focus, today we will honor with the was approved by the students from all six colleges in the AU Cen- Founders Spirit Award alumnae who effected change 50 years ago ter and signed by representatives from each, time constraints for its publication dictated that it would have to be written virtually through their involve- single-handedly. Lonnie King, our student leader from More- ment in the Atlanta house, assigned the project to me.” Student Movement in While the statistical data was revised from the pamphlet “A support of civil rights. Second Look,” edited by M. Carl Holman from Clark College, Throughout the the surrounding words were penned by Dr. Pope. On March 9, decade of the 1960s, 1960, the document was published in several Atlanta newspa- Spelman women joined pers, including The Atlanta Constitution, sparking the student with students in the civil rights protests in Atlanta. Atlanta University Cen- As exceptional and prophetic as her historical words were, Dr. ter and others across the Pope humbly recognizes (as does the Spelman community) that country to put an end the student movement was a collective effort including the brave to the inequalities of Dr. Roslyn Pope, C’60 racial segregation and to secure full citizenship and human rights for all people. Propelled by the tenets laid out in “An Appeal for Human Rights,” Spelman women were a catalyst for the significant changes that were made in Atlanta and across the South, including the desegregation of public schools, the elimination of segre- gation in all public buildings and transportation, theaters, hospitals, hotels and department stores. Today, we celebrate the spirit and tenacity of the alumnae of the Atlanta Student Movement who through their organizing, march- ing, picketing and arrests believed that it was within their power to change the world, so they did.” —Founders Day 2013 excerpts from President Beverly Daniel Tatum. Photos: Julie Yarbrough, C’91 Summer 2013 15 acts of many of her Spelman sisters. From 1960–1964, more than Sanders. “The unity of the students gave us the strength and the 150 Spelman students were involved in the planning and execu- courage to step out and to join and to take a more active part.” tion of sit-ins, boycotts, pickets, marches and other organized On Founders Day, Dr. Pope said she felt such a sense of efforts to move the City of Atlanta, the state and nation toward pride in Spelman’s prodigious history of ascendancy, “from equal justice and full citizenship for all people. Miss Packard and Miss Giles in the basement of Friendship This year, the Founders Spirit Award was bestowed to the Baptist Church to the great leadership of Dr. Beverly Daniel alumnae of the Atlanta Student Movement. Many of the recipi- Tatum, and now being recognized as one of the outstanding ents were present to accept this honor, including Malinda Clark liberal arts colleges of our time. I treasure the honor of having Logan, C’64. “It was going to take all of us. We had to be brave, become a part of that history. We should never underestimate we had to be bold, we had to step out,” said Logan in “Foot the great fortune that has befallen us in being a part of the Spel- Soldiers: Class of 1964,” the independent documentary about man family. The Spelman story is one of this country’s most participants from the Class of 1964, produced by one of their inspiring sagas, especially as it relates to women of color. It is to own, Dr. Georgianne Thomas, C’64, and her daughter, Alvelyn be cherished; it is to be told and retold.”

FOUNDERS SPIRIT AWARD RECIPIENTS Alumnae of the Atlanta Student Movement

1963 Anne Ashmore-Hudson 1962 Yvonne Tucker Harris 1963 Katherine S. McIver 1962 Diane Attaway Vincent 1961 Melvis Evans Atkinson 1962 Minnie L. Riley Harris 1962 Johnnie Price McPhail *1963 Phyllis Umstead Walker 1963 Cecile G. Baird 1964 Marcelite Jordan Harris 1961 Gwendolyn Harris Middlebrooks 1964 Sandra Griffin Walker 1963 Barbara Odom Battle 1964 Janice Craig Hartsfield 1964 Joyce White Mills 1964 Betty Stevens Walker 1964 Gloria Knowles Bell 1962 Gwendolyn Wales Hathaway 1964 Deborah Dorsey Mitchell 1964 Annette Jones White 1961 Anne Ruth Borders-Patterson 1963 Patricia Smith Henry 1961 Josephine Jackson Neal 1964 Billie Pitts Williams 1963 Ernestine Walton Brazeal 1964 Ida McCree Hilliard 1960 Wilma Abbott Nichols 1964 Valjean Elizabeth Williams 1961 Jeanette Smith Brown *1964 Lucia Anita Holloway McSloy 1960 Roslyn E. Pope 1962 Mary Worthy 1962 Barbara Adams Carney 1960 June Gary Hopps 1962 Quinnette Rhodes-Igherighe 1968 Lillie Walker Benitez 1960 Herschelle Sullivan Challenor 1963 Marilyn Pryce Hoytt 1963 Earnestine Crawford Roberts 1965 Rosemary Braxton *1964 Joyce Ferrell Clark 1964 Edwina Palmer Hunter 1962 Joyce C. Rockwell 1956 Gloria Strong Boyd 1964 Versie R. Cofield 1962 Maggie Patricianne Hurd *1960 Ella Blackmon Ross 1949 Melba Moore Carter 1963 Brenda Hill Cole 1963 Edith Simmons Jackmon-Hunter 1963 Bessie S. Sellaway 1949 Marymal M. Dryden 1961 Norma June Wilson Davis 1963 Ollie Wells Jackson 1964 Cecile Marshburn Shannon 1965 Leronia Stokes Josey 1964 Lois Turner Dunlap 1962 Genevieve Teague Jean-Pierre 1964 Neena A. Shelton-Spencer 1967 Barbara Naylor-Hill 1964 Betty Wilson Durden 1964 Charlotte Mize Johnson 1963 Lana Taylor Sims 1965 Gloria B. Person 1960 Marian Wright Edelman 1964 Mary Moss Joseph 1964 Dolores Young Strawbridge 1970 Bernice Johnson Reagon 1964 Dorothy Jenkins Fields 1964 Marsha Goodwin Kee 1961 A. Lenora Taitt-Magubane *1965 Ruby Doris Smith Robinson 1964 Louisa Steward Fisher 1962 Patricia Fletcher Knight *1963 Robbie Lee Tate 1966 Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons 1963 Sonya Mixon Goldsboro 1963 Mary Reid Lacy *1961 Myra Smith Taylor *1949 Maxine A. Smith 1964 Ann Patricia Graves 1962 Virginia Brown Lockhart 1964 Georgianne Thomas 1965 Alice M. Walker 1964 Sadye Beasley Gray 1964 Malinda Clark Logan 1963 Elinor Smith Tootle 1966 E. Victoria Williams 1964 Lois Weston Green 1962 Queen Green Lowe 1964 Roberta Smith Tracy 1961 Eva Lowe Griffin *1960 Lucille Brown McIver 1961 Carolyn N. Stinson Traylor * Deceased Photo: Julie Yarbrough, C’91

16 SPELMAN MESSENGER Change. Means. Action.

The Campaign for Spelman College summer 2013

Spelman’s Board Chair Gift Benefits First-Generation Students

In early February 2012, Breanna Wilkerson, pursuing her doctorate in public health C’2015, realized she was not going to be and making a career of researching able to raise the money to continue living in women of color and HIV / AIDS, which took a residence hall on the campus of Spelman her mother’s life. Rosalind Brewer, C’84, chair of the board of trustees at College. She wasn’t even registered for Wilkerson’s trajectory aligns with Spelman College (fourth from left), is surrounded by the classes yet. Brewer’s intent for the scholarship. first recipients of the Rosalind Gates Brewer Scholarship, “I was in a situation where I was asked “The vision I had for the Brewer awarded to first generation college students. to go home due to financial circumstance,” Scholars was to ensure that those remembers Wilkerson, a comparative students who already had the talent and Action By the Goals women’s studies major, who is minoring potential to earn a Spelman College Global Engagement - An anonymous in public health. “I was packing when I degree could graduate,” said Brewer, got the email about the first-generation a first-generation scholar herself who donor contributed $50,000 that scholarship. It literally saved my understands these students’ need for allowed 23 students to travel to education. I don’t know what I would have various types of support, including France, Turkey, China and South Africa done or where I would have gone. I was financial, moral and mentoring. during the summer of 2013. just in a bind.” “They are what I call purposeful O pportunities for Undergraduate Wilkerson is the recipient of a $10,000 students. They are on a mission. But as Research – A new scholarship from Rosalind Gates Brewer Scholarship; these first-generation students they face several Procter & Gamble will make recipients are awarded to first-generation college challenges. Often they are carrying a lot eligible for potential internship students. Named for Rosalind Brewer, of responsibility. There may be a lack opportunities. C’84, chair of the board of trustees at of appreciation from the rest of their A lumnae Connections – Two local Spelman, the nine annual scholarships family, who did not go to college and don’t cultural excursions, alumna Pearl (eight at $10,000 and one at $20,000) are appreciate the hard work it takes. When Cleage’s play “What I Learned in renewable, which is great for Wilkerson, they think the odds are against them, I Paris” and the Broadway musical who has struggled annually to finance her think they’re in their favor because they “Fela!,” served as the platform for Spelman education. are fighters. Nine times out of ten these connecting 54 alumnae-student pairs “I can’t get any private loans because students are breaking the mold when they together for dinner, conversations and I’m independent, I don’t have a co-signer come to Spelman College.” networking. Mentoring and support and no real established credit,” said the San For Kimimnickque Herbert, C’2015, relationships continued throughout Antonio, Texas, native, who after the death receiving the Brewer Scholarship allowed the academic year. of her mother, became a ward of the state, her to be a better student. She spent the L eadership Development – A dozen along with her brother, at age 13. Wilkerson first few weeks of the second semester of students learned transferable skills did manage to avoid foster care by being the sophomore year unsure and unfocused. planning and producing the 13th caretaker of her immobilized grandmother “Being on campus, going to class with annual student-driven, two-day Toni until she came to Spelman in 2011. no books, not knowing if I was going to Cade Bambara Scholar-Activism With support from the Brewer stay was hard. When I got the scholarship Conference in March. Scholarship, Wilkerson has thrived. She’s I was excited. It was a blessing, “ said S ervice Learning – In April, Spelman served on the sophomore class council, Herbert, a biochemistry major and received $250,000 in funding from the become a social justice associate, and WalMart Scholar, who participates in the Photo: Julie Yarbrough, C’91 Andrew Mellon Foundation to support founded the first chapter of GlobalMed, chemistry club and the glee club, and the College’s Social Justice Scholars which works to end health disparities in plans a career researching cancer, which underserved communities, on the campus runs in her family. “When you’re worried program. of a historically Black college or university. about getting your tuition paid you can’t For more information about Participating in an HIV / AIDS research really focus on your grades and manage The Campaign for Spelman College, program at Northwestern University this your time. That’s not a stressful part of please visit www.changemeansaction.com summer keeps Wilkerson on the path to my life anymore.” or contact the Office of Development at (866) 512-1690. Read Hall Reinvention Expands Wellness Revolution Opportunities

The redesign of the home base of Spelman’s Wellness Revolution is well under way. The College’s existing fitness facility, Read Hall, was built in 1950 for 500 students. Today, it serves approximately 2,100 students and more than 600 faculty and staff members. The renovation and reinvention of this building is the top priority to ensure the success of the Wellness Revolution, a holistic initiative designed to empower and educate Spelman women and the communities they influence on key components of lifelong wellness – eating better, moving more and sleeping well. Led by Menefee Architecture with fitness design expertise from Cannon Design, the $18 million new, state-of-the- art facility will increase Read Hall’s total square footage from 37,988 square feet to 55,224 square feet. Construction of the new building is scheduled to begin January 2014 with completion by March 2015. •• Expansion of individualized, holistic Special features in the new Read Hall will wellness assessments and prescriptions include: by qualified wellness coaches •• Demonstration kitchen •• Expansion of fitness classes such as Boot •• Elevated indoor track Camp, Stiletto Aerobics, Aqua Fit, Zumba, ••Natatorium with four-lane swimming pool PiYo, Belly, Butt and Thighs, Urban Line •• Central gymnasium with multi-purpose Dance, Hip Hop Aerobics, Toning Zone, flooring appropriate for intramural sports Muscle Works, Yoga, Pilates, and Abs and and large group fitness activities Assets •• Flexible administrative space for individual consultations with wellness coaches who will design and monitor individualized health plans •• Greatly expanded fitness area(s) that will boast state-of-the-art fitness equipment, Seniors Lead the Way as well as dedicated stretching Increasing Their Giving •• LEED certified construction Participation Before they even leave the gates This much-needed facility will enhance of their beloved Spelman College, the programs currently in place and allow members of the graduating class are the College to expand its reach via: asked to make financial contributions •• Healthy dining options including to their alma mater. The percentage vegetarian, vegan and low-calorie of students participating in The Senior stations Legacy Gift Program increased by two • Redesign of Spelman’s physical education percent with the Class of 2013 coming courses and expansion of offerings to in at 63% participation for a total amount emphasize those designed to improve of $5,737 as of April 30, 2013. fitness levels and introduce students to wellness activities that can be sustained for a lifetime

2 Leads the Way

Choice-Based Giving Spurs Alumnae Support

Cheryl May-Holmes, C’70, sprang into action on April 6, 2013, were directed to the Spelman Fund, which impacts the areas of when she read a story in the Spelman Connection about Impact24, greatest need and potential for the College. the 24-hour giving marathon rallying alumnae to provide financial Student fundraisers and alumnae volunteers were instrumental support to their sisters during Founders Day. in getting the word out about the campaign through phone calls, “The very first moment I saw it online in the Connection, I sent direct mail, social media and in-person conversations. Their an email to several classmates,” said May-Holmes, a consistent efforts were rewarded. By the end of the “Spelman Gift of Choice” contributor to Spelman. “Then after the Founders Day activity, I campaign, alumnae contributions to the Campaign for Spelman immediately sent another email out to another group of sisters. College totaled $1,125,784. The College community is holding fast And I had people calling me up until almost midnight on Founders to the vision of reaching 100 percent alumnae participation through Day trying to get their gifts in by the deadline.” the Every Woman...Every Year! Campaign, where alumnae can Strong networking and participation of alumnae like May- make their choice-based gift year round. Holmes is how Spelman was able to increase the College’s For May-Holmes, her own Spelman experience makes alumnae donor base to 3,467 by the end of the marathon. supporting the College through giving and volunteering feel like The marathon, following the tradition of presenting alumnae purposeful acts of love. gifts to Spelman on Founders Day, was a component of a larger “We received a well-rounded education that laid the foundation initiative launched by the Office of Annual Giving six weeks for us to pursue careers and graduate degrees, and to have a heart earlier. “Spelman’s Gift of Choice” alumnae campaign debuted to want to give back and help others,” said May-Holmes. “We need as a choice-based giving program on March 1, 2013. Alumnae to help the students that are coming after us. Were it not for those contributing to this initiative were able to support a College of us who have graduated and are giving back, some young Spelman program in which they had a special interest — the sciences, women may not have the opportunity to complete their education. wellness, study abroad or scholarships. If not specified, their gifts What we pour into their lives will benefit the entire world.”

The College community is holding fast to the vision of reaching 100 percent alumnae participation through the Every Woman...Every Year! Campaign, where alumnae can make their choice- based gift year round.

3 Your Gifts By the Numbers Goal by Priority As of May 31, 2013, has been raised for scholarships, Goal: $150 Million $46,231,046 Total Raised: $138 Million assisting 978 students this academic year. More than 12 percent of Spelman’s philanthropy has come from 12,307 alumnae gifts resulting in $17,188,490 in total contribu- tions to the campaign.

11,824 donors made their first gift ever to the College since the Campaign began. of those donors are alumnae. Scholarships 6,631 $80 Million (53%) - Total Raised: $46 Million Faculty and Academic Programs Both through direct philanthropy to scholarships and through consistent budget $40 Million (27%) - Total Raised: $41 Million support, some of which has been supported through gifts to the annual fund, the Campus Environment amount of aid the College has been able to provide to students has grown from $10 Million (7%) - Total Raised: $26 Million to , an increase of percent since the Campaign Annual Fund $5.4M $13.6M 151 $20 Million (13%) - Total Raised: $25 Million began. Data as of May 31, 2013

The Campaign for Spelman College Donor List www.changemeansaction.com

Spelman College gratefully acknowledges Corporations, Foundations, Associated Colleges of the South Marcelite Jordan Harris, C’64 Rosenthal & Company LLC Jacqueline Jones Royster , C’70 the following contributors for providing gift Organizations & Trust Atlanta Falcons Lezli Levene Harvell, C’2000 & San Antonia Area Foundation Monice Hodges Sanders, C’78 commitments of $25,000 and above to The Arcus Foundation Atlanta Journal and Constitution Christopher Harvell The Getty Foundation Frank and Robyn Sims Campaign for Spelman College during the period Atlantic Philanthropies BMW of North America, Inc. Laurel Hord Hill, C’84 The Henry Luce Foundation Donna M. Stafford, C’86 July 1, 2004 through April 15, 2013. Delta Air Lines Foundation/ Delta Air Lines, Inc. Bank of America Foundation/Bank of America Lindsay M. Hopkins, C’2003 The Philanthropic Collaborative, Inc. David N. Sundwall Estate of Cherie Stawasz Boeing Company Edith Jackmon-Hunter, C’63 The Teagle Foundation Zandraetta Tims-Cook, C’92 $30,000,000 and above George Link, Jr. Foundation, Inc. Cummins Foundation /Cummins, Inc. Cynthia E. Jackson, C’81 UBS Financial Services, Inc./UBS Investment Althea Sample Truesdale, C’78 Individuals Georgia Power Foundation, Inc./ David, Helen & Marian Woodward Foundation Eloise McKinney-Johnson, C’47 Bank Sandra Elaine Waite, C’95 Ronda E. Stryker & William D. Johnston Georgia Power Company, Inc. Emory University Ralph L. & Davida Johnson US Bank National Association Celeste Watkins-Hayes, C’96 & Rejji P. Hayes JP Morgan Chase Foundation/JP Morgan Chase Empire Office, Inc Darnita R. Killian, C’79 Winnie & Henry Loftin Trust Karyn Smith Wills, C’84 $5,000,000—$9,999,999 Pfizer Foundation/Pfizer, Inc. Estate of Jennie Marshall, C’37 Bernice A. King, C’85 Yum! Brands Foundation Individuals Southern Education Foundation, Inc. Federated Corporate Services, Inc. Theodora Rochelle Lee, C’84 Corporations, Foundations, Theodore R. & Barbara B. Aronson The Kresge Foundation Fuller E. Callaway Foundation Rick and Anna Mills $25,000—$49,999 Organizations & Trust Emma and Joseph Adams Foundation General Motors Desiree S. Pedescleaux Individuals Brand Connections Corporations, Foundations, The Riversville Foundation Georgia-Pacific Foundation/ Danyale Price, C’91 Anonymous Chicago Chapter, National Alumnae Association Organizations & Trust Georgia-Pacific Corporation Joyce & David Price Raven Abdul-Aleem, C’2004 & Zaid Abdul-Aleem of Spelman College Andrew W. Mellon Foundation $250,000—$499,999 Goldman, Sachs & Company Helen Smith Price, C’79 Gena Hudgins Ashe, C’83 ConocoPhillips Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation Individuals Google, Inc. Anna Roosevelt Claire Lewis “Yum” Arnold Estate of Loyce Bynum United Negro College Fund, Inc./ Anonymous Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, Inc. Lovette Twyman Russell, C’83 & Michael Sandra Baccus (dec.) Estate of Charles Hicks UNCF Special Programs Corporation Donald A. Coleman Honeywell, Inc. B. Russell Ernestein Walker Baylor, C’49 (dec.) Estate of Isaiah W. Thomas, Jr. Robert Holland, Jr. & Barbara Holland IBM International Foundation/IBM Corporation Kurt L. Schmoke J. Veronica Williams Biggins, C’68 ICG Real Estate Advisors, LLC $1,000,000—$4,999,999 John K. Hurley Institute for Higher Education Policy Grace McKivey Scipio, C’46 Trojanell Bordenave-Wilson, C’74 & Brent Wilson Ida Alice Ryan Trust Individuals Yvonne R. Jackson, C’70 Limited Brands Foundation/The Limited, Inc. Jonathan Smith & Sherrill Blalock Juel Pate Borders-Benson, C’54 Japan Foundation Anonymous George T. Wein Merck Partnership for Giving Kathleen Mavis Tait, C’88 Mary R. Brock John Wieland Homes, Inc. Anne Cox Chambers Merrill Lynch & Company Foundation, Inc./ Colleen Janessa Taylor, C’90 Carrie Buggs, C’56 Key Foundation Jerri L. DeVard, C’79 Corporations, Foundations, Merrill Lynch Andrea Abrams Turner, C86 Frederick E. Burks Kimberly Clark Corporation Paula Caruthers Renfro, C’74 Organizations & Trust National Alumnae Association of Jesse and Cheryl Tyson Mary B. Burke Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems/ AT&T Foundation/AT&T, Inc. Spelman College Nicole Yvonne Venable, C’91 A. Toy Caldwell-Colbert, C’73 (dec.) Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Corporations, Foundations, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. Publix Supermarkets Alice M. Walker, C’65 Bonnie S. Carter, C’89 & Michael L. Carter Martin Foundation Organizations & Trust Estate of Ida Peterson, C’46 R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation, Inc. Kathy N. Waller Janice Chappelle, C’65 (dec.) Mary N. Wolff Trust Bank of New York Mellon Lilly Endowment, Inc. SunTrust Foundation Levi Watkins, Jr. Laura and Richard Chasin Merchants National Properties, Inc. Bernard Osher Foundation Morgan Stanley & Company SunTrust Bank Trusteed Foundations: Valerie Rockefeller Wayne Lillian McKinney Cooley, C’55 National Association for Equal Opportunity in Dignity Health PepsiCo Foundation, Inc. Florence C. & Harry L. English Josie Latimer Williams, C’47 (dec.) Camille O. Cosby Higher Education ExxonMobil Foundation/ExxonMobil Corporation The David Geffen Foundation Memorial Fund and Harriet McDaniel William H. Cosby, Jr. Northern New Jersey Chapter, National Alumnae Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund The Starr Foundation Marshall Trust Corporations, Foundations, Angela Birch Cox, C’81 Association of Spelman College Ford Foundation Tull Charitable Foundation The Community Foundation For Organizations & Trust Mary Lynne Diggs, C’77 Novo Nordisk, Inc. Howard Hughes Medical Institute United Parcel Service/UPS Foundation, Inc Greater Atlanta, Inc. AGL Resources, Inc. Karen Davenport Panasonic Corporation of North America Lehman Brothers, Inc. Walmart Foundation/Walmart The Falcon Fund American Family Mutual Insurance Company Lisa Egbuonu-Davis PGA of America Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc. Xerox Foundation/Xerox Corporation The Freeman Foundation Annexstad Family Foundation Sarah Merritt Finley, C’68 Pitney Bowes, Inc. Harvey Family Foundation/ The Hearst Foundations, Inc. ARAMARK, Inc. Johnnie Hunter Foxworth, C’43 RLO Publisher Marjorie and Steve Harvey $100,000—$249,999 The Home Depot Foundation Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Kyendria K. Garth, C’95 Robert Mapp Foundation New York Chapter, National Alumnae Association Individuals The Isambard Kingdom Brunel Society of Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc. Nitsa Du Rell Gilbert, C’90 Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta of Spelman College Anonymous (2) North America Bush Foundation Jean McArthur Grant, C’53 University Center The Coca-Cola Foundation/ Jacqueline A. & Clarence Avant The Kendeda Fund Cambridge Academic Group Alison Graves-Calhoun, C’90 Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors The Coca-Cola Company/ Jean Beard The Rich Foundation, Inc. Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Inc. Dorothy J. Fuqua Grayson, C’65 ScholarshipAmerica Coca-Cola Refreshments Janine Brown The Vasser Wolley Foundation, Inc. Chick-fil-A, Inc. Kimberly Kwanza Haynes, C’96 SunTrust Bank The Sheares Family Charitable Foundation Alice Gaston Combs, C’53 & Julius V. Combs The Thomas J. Watson Foundation Electronic Arts, Inc. Melanee Rose Haywood, C’80 Target Stores Brad Sheares and Adrienne Simmons Velda Givens Erie Verizon Foundation/Verizon Energy Systems Group Kelly-Ann Iola Henry, C’96 The Burks Companies, Inc. Terry L. & Marcella Jones Estate of Maude Gaines Ernestine Dearing Hogan, C’68 The Chrysler Foundation $500,000—$999,999 Rose Harris Johnson, C’57 & Robert Johnson $50,000—$99,999 Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, Inc. June Gary Hopps, C’60 The Liman Foundation Individuals Bruce & Martha Karsh Individuals Fund for Southern Communities Edgar J. Johnson The Scholarship Foundation Anonymous Gwendolyn & Peter Norton Eloise Abernathy Alexis, C’86 General Electric Company Virginia Harris Johnson, C’58 The Wellington Swindall Trust Rosalind Gates Brewer, C’84 & John Brewer Deborah Prothrow-Stith, C’75 Judith Fisher Arrington, C’57 Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc. Kassandra Kimbriel Jolley Theobald Foundation Alumnae Notes Kimberly Browne Davis, C’81 Suzanne F. Shank Anne Ashmore-Hudson, C’63 John and Rosemary Brown Family Foundation Martin Luther King, III U. S. A. Funds LaTanya Richardson Jackson, C’71 & Esther Silver-Parker Joy San Walker Brown, C’52 (dec.) KeyBank Foundation/KeyBank Adrienne Lance Lucas, C’90 Wells Fargo Bank Samuel L. Jackson Isabella McIntyre Tobin, C’45 (dec.) Robert L. & Lucinda W. Bunnen Lorraine Thomas Trust Traci Hartfield McKie, C’89 Wish Foundation, Inc. Vicki R. & John E. Palmer Mary L. Brock Waters, C’66 Ruby Handspike Clay, C’54 Macy’s Susan A. McLaughlin Zion Hill Baptist Church Jon Stryker Sanquinetta M. Dover, C’77 Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation Charles E. Merrill, Jr. Beverly Daniel Tatum & Travis Tatum Corporations, Foundations, Pauline E. Drake, C’58 Microsoft Corporation Willie Mae Pearson-Butler, C’49 Giving levels reflect Campaign gift Eleanor Williams Traylor, C’55 Organizations & Trust Pamela Garrett Elliott, C’71 National Philanthropic Trust Sarah Peter commitments received during the period Abrams Foundation, Inc. Kaye Foster-Cheek Procter & Gamble Anna Katheryn Ponder, C’86 July 1, 2004 through April 15, 2013. Arthur Vining Davis Foundations Nina Echols Greenwood, C’85 Prudential Financial/The Prudential Foundation Laurena Moore Powell, C’82 & Marty Powell Take Note! Photo: Julie Yarbrough, C’91 Photo: s p el m an ar c hives

Mary and Virginia McKinney were the first set of twins to graduate with honors from Spelman College in 1953. Mary was class valedictorian and Virginia was salutatorian. On May 19, 2013 – 60 years later – Kristie and Kirstie Bronner, music majors from Atlanta, graduated from Spelman College as co-valedictorians with perfect 4.0 GPAs. The pair received a plethora of media coverage from local and national outlets, including ABC News, Fox News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Kristie and Kirstie plan to work full-time in ministry as youth event coordinators at Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral, which is pastored by their father, the Rev. Dale C. Bronner. The duo come from a long lineage of Spelman women. Their mother, the Rev. Nina Cobb Bronner, graduated from Spelman in 1985, their aunt, Sheila Bronner, is a member of the Class of 1986, and their grandmother, Dorothy Gibson Cobb, finished in 1956. Their father graduated from Morehouse College in 1984 where he finished as the top student in Alumnae Notes the field of religion.

Summer 2013 17 Alumnae Notes

1955 Erin Goseer Mitchell 1969 Take Note! Professional: Honored as a special Laura English-Robinson guest at the Sisters of Freedom African Professional: Performed with Trey American Women Moving Us For- Clegg for the Spelman College depart- ward Presentation Reception at the ment of music’s Love, Rosebuds and Marian Wright Edelman, C’60, president of the Children’s Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Library Chocolate: A Valentine’s Day Faculty on September 27, 2012. Her book, Recital on February 14, 2013, in Sis- Defense Fund (CDF) received the Harvard Graduate School Born Colored, is in its sixth printing ters Chapel. of Education’s Medal of Education Impact. According to the and was recently awarded a five-star CDF’s monthly newsletter, Edelman received the school’s rating from Reader’s Choice. Bettieanne Hart highest award from Dean Kathleen McCartney “for making a Professional: Featured speaker at the lasting difference in the field of education and on the lives of 1960 Spelman College Interfaith Student learners across the nation and beyond.” Marian Wright Edelman Council’s interfaith prayer brunch to Professional: Spoke at Voorhees Col- launch the Campaign to Stop Vio- lege 2013 commencement on Satur- lence Against Women and Children day, May 4, 2013, in Denmark, South on September 11, 2012. Sheryl Riley Gripper, C’72, founder Carolina. of the Black Women Film Network Johnnie Mae Woolfolk Griffith and former broadcast executive Roslyn Pope Professional: Retired in May 2013 after with WXIA-TV, and Cynthia Neal Professional: Honored by the Atlanta 39 years in the field of education. She Spence, C’78, associate professor of City Council with a Proclamation for taught for two years in Atlanta Public sociology and director of the UNCF/ “An Appeal for Civil Rights” on Sep- Schools, five years in the Cherry Creek Mellon Programs at Spelman Col- tember 4, 2012, at Atlanta City Hall. Public School in Aurora, Colorado, two years at Weber State University lege, were honored at The Atlanta 1963 (continuing education/department of Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Bettie J. Durrah education) in Ogden, Utah, and 30 Sorority, Incorporated’s “Celebration of Women 100 Years, Professional: A choreopoem, “Colors years in the Ogden City Schools. Builders of Communities and Dreams.” The event took place of the Human Family,” (with the on May 4, 2013, at the Georgia International Convention addition of a Middle Eastern voice), A. Michelle Smith Center in College Park, Georgia. Moraima “Mo” Ivory, C’91, written/produced by Durrah in Professional: Pictured in the article, served as the mistress of ceremony. 1982, was again presented in August “Board Invites Community Leaders 2012 in Orlando, Florida, during the to Celebrate 65th Anniversary,” in Church-Wide Gathering of Presby- Horizons, the newsletter for The Sadie Andrea Molette, C’92, was terian Women. It was subsequently G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation featured in the January/February published in Horizons Magazine, the Center, in December 2012. 2013 issue of Black September–October 2012 issue. The original choreopoem was published 1971 Enterprise, highlighting in Concern Magazine in 1983. Her Tina McElroy Ansa her new position as media choreopoem, “Legacy and Light,” Professional: Featured at The Social Jus- director with Sprint. She written to celebrate the 70th Anniver- tice Fellows Program & The UNCF/ oversees media strategy, sary of Church Women United, was Mellon Programs Luncheon & Con- planning and buying for presented at the Southeast regional versation with Tina McElroy Ansa on the Sprint, Boost, Virgin meeting of Church Women United November 19, 2012, at the Laura Spel- Mobile and Assurance in October 2012 in Columbia, South man Rockefeller Residence Hall. Carolina. brands. Suvess Reddick Ricks 1966 Education: Awarded a doctoral degree Several Spelman trailblazers were featured on the three-hour Beverly Guy-Sheftall in education from the University of PBS documentary “Makers: Women Who Make America,” Professional: Discussed select chap- West Georgia in December 2011. including Beverly Guy-Sheftall, C’66, director of the Wom- ters of her work, Words of Fire: An Professional: Retired in April 2012 en’s Research and Resource Center; Marian Wright Edelman, Anthology of African American Feminist from the post of associate superin- C’60, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund; and Alice Thought,at The Social Justice Fellows tendent after 27 years of service with Walker, C’65, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Color Program Book Discussion on Septem- Douglas County Schools. She has ber 25, 2012. been appointed to the role of assistant Purple. The show premiered on February 26, 2013, sharing the professor of educational leadership at intimate stories of past and future change agents. Former Spel- 1967 the University of West Georgia. man president Johnnetta B. Cole and former Spelman provost Deborah Mack Ruth Simmons were also featured in the documentary. Professional: Honored by the Girl 1971 Scouts of Historic Georgia as their Murdell Walker McFarlin Zoe Cadore, C’2011, was crowned Miss Houston 2013 at 2013 Woman of Distinction in Professional: Elected national president The Miss Houston/Miss Harris County Pageant on November March 2013. for the Association of Higher Educa- tion Campus Television Administra- 11, 2012. She was also selected as 1968 tors for 2013–2015. Best Overall Interview. The event is a Jane Smith preliminary pageant in the Miss America Professional: Participated in the Key- 1973 system. Cadore is currently a student at note Conversation for the Spelman Kathleen Bertrand the University of Houston Law Center College Homecoming Convocation – Professional: Performed in The Pink and will represent Houston in the Miss Women Changing the World through Frog Affair: An Evening of Poetry, Texas Pageant in July 2013. Advocacy and Public Policy on Octo- Music and Dance on October 5, ber 25, 2012, in Sisters Chapel. 2012, at Morehouse College.

18 SPELMAN MESSENGER The Honorable Judge Harriet Murphy, C’49, a retired June 1, 2013 marked municipal court judge with the city of Austin, Texas, received three years of business for an honorary degree at Spelman Ashley Deadwyler-Jones, College’s Commencement on C’98, a State Farm Insur- May 19, 2013, at the Georgia ance agent. She started her International Convention Center. agency from scratch and Murphy boasts a long-standing, has been recognized in respected career with many State Farm’s Hall of Fame historical firsts, including being the as having the fastest-growing auto insurance production in first officially appointed African the history of the Mid-Atlantic region. Her agency has also American woman judge in Texas. been recognized as top in class for life insurance production. She is the first and only African American woman to serve as As a result, she was recently featured in three State Farm Democratic Party elector for the State of Texas. She was also a Life Insurance commercials. founding member of the Austin Black Lawyers Association, the Travis County Women’s Lawyers Association and the Austin Urban League. In 2010, Judge Murphy’s peers in the legal “Access Hollywood” television community recognized her contributions by inducting her into correspondent Shaun Robinson, the National Bar Association Hall of Fame. C’84, sat down with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden for an exclusive interview Michelle Mathews, C’82, was featured on the cover of Minority in January 2013. The First Lady Business Entrepreneur Magazine, the November/December 2012 and Dr. Biden discussed a wide issue. The story, “Change Agent: Michelle Mathews Partners range of topics with Robinson with Clients to Help Them Make Difficult Decisions,” high- including honoring military lights her successful career and her Atlanta-based management families, the Presidential Inau- consulting firm, Mathews Consulting Group. guration and the First Lady’s newly cut bangs. Robinson also appeared on “The Steve Harvey Show: Steve’s Got Tal- On March 2013, Alisha Myers, C’98, and Rozilla Kubwana ent” as a celebrity judge along with Jeff Timmons of “98 made history as the first Black women to complete the grueling Degrees” and “American Idol” finalist Haley Reinhart. 2013 ABSA Cape Epic mountain bike event. The Cape Epic is known as one of the toughest mountain bike stage races in world. Participants ride in teams of two over eight days and Avery Sunshine (Denise White, C’98) sang the National complete over 440 miles of cycling the mountain passes of the Anthem at the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Atlanta Western Cape, South Africa. Myers, a huge advocate of good on April 6, 2013. She health and fitness, was fully sponsored for the race by Exxaro, a performed before the South African company that started a mountain biking academy sold-out crowd at the several years ago to train and promote mountain biking among Georgia Dome with historically disadvantaged communities in South Africa. Her the Ebenezer Baptist partner, Kubwana, became the first Black South Africa female Church Choir & to complete the race. Friends, conducted by Dr. Tony McNeill, director of worship and arts. She was also featured in the The High Museum of article, “Avery Sunshine: From the Shadows, A Ray of Life,” Art named Dr. Andrea in the fall 2012 issue of Georgia Music. Barnwell Brownlee, C’93, the 2013 recipient of the David C. Driskell Alison Chaney, C’2011, won an opportunity to serve as an Prize. Brownlee is the intern for Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer and televi- director of the Spel- sion correspondent for the NBA on TNT. Chaney worked man College Museum for two days, January 31, 2013, and February 7, 2013; she of Fine Art, the only U.S. museum dedicated to visual art received a small financial stipend for the internship as well made by and about women of the African Diaspora. As the as a wealth of experience. In addition to being on air with ninth Driskell Prize recipient, Brownlee was honored at the Barkley, she blogged for CharlesBarkley.com and tweeted Driskell Prize Dinner in Atlanta on April 13, 2013, in the for the show via the Twitter handle @NBAonTNT. At the High Museum of Art’s Wieland Pavilion. The Driskell Prize time of the internship, Chaney attended Syracuse Univer- recognizes a scholar or artist in the beginning or middle of his sity’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, or her career whose work makes an original and important pursuing a master’s degree in public relations. contribution to the field of African American art or art history. Her accomplishment was covered by numerous media outlets including www.blackartinamerica.com and Creative Loafing.

Summer 2013 19 Take Note!

Kimberly Bailey- Sam’s Club CEO and chair of the Tureaud, C’84 Spelman College Board of Trustees , is Rosalind Brewer, C’84, sat down the publisher of the with Gayle King and the “CBS monthly magazine, This Morning” co-hosts on April 5, (lasvegasblackimage. 2013. She touched on several topics com) distributed in including the phenomenon of bulk the “Entertainment buying, taking on competitors like Capital.” Bailey- Costco and BJ’s, balancing family Tureaud and her and work life, and Spelman College. husband, Charles Tureaud, are approaching five years of publishing the magazine. Las Vegas Black Image Magazine gives readers editorials about African Americans (and Black people from other countries) in Las Vegas who are doing positive things in Moya Bailey, C’2005, the areas of business, education, community, entertainment, and her partners Susan culture and overall lifestyle. An interview with Bailey-Tureaud Morris and Brittney Coo- aired on “Vegas TV” in the fall of 2012. Former Spelman per – The Crunk Feminist College President Dr. Audrey Manley, C’55, was also Collective – earned a spot interviewed and featured on “Vegas TV.” on “The Next List: Meet 25 Young Sisters Who Are Handling Their Business Two Spelman alumnae, and Making Us Proud,” in Crystal Willis, C’2008, the August 22, 2012, issue and Eleisha Teasley, of Essence Magazine. C’2010, teamed up with a Morehouse alumnus, David Stephen, Class of 2005, and competed on an episode of “The American Bible Challenge.” The trio, Team Detroit Believers, played for the charity for the Dominican Literacy Center, which works to reduce Detroit’s 47 percent Several Spelman sisters were among the 2012 honorees named adult illiteracy rate. The episode aired March 28, 2013, on the to the esteemed Fourteenth Edition of Who’s Who in Black Game Show Network. Atlanta. They include Sheila Bronner, C’86; Gail Paulette Davenport, C’70; Tomika DePriest, C’89; Heather Lynn Hawes, C’89; Kimberly K. Actress and healthy living expert A.J. Johnson, C’85, has been Haynes, C’96; Yvonne Bry- championing the importance of health and wellness at several ant Johnson, C’ 70; Bernice Spelman events including The Presidential Convocation, King, C’85; Diamond Miller featuring A.J. Johnson on Black Women and the Wellness Lewis, C’2001; Parquita Nas- Revolution: Why sau, C’91; Carla Stokes, C’97; We Can’t Wait, on Tess Vismale, C’91; Rhonda November 1, 2012. Wilkins, C’78; Rita Tucker Johnson also led Williams, C’72, and Natasha workshops at the L. Wilson, C’95. President 9th Annual Spelman Beverly Daniel Tatum was also College Women of included in the “Most Influen- Color Leadership tial” section of the list. Conference in May 2013. Johnson actively shares her Tanika Ray, C’94, joined Jamie Kennedy and Jessi Cruick- passion via speaking engagements and media appearances. shank, hosts of “OH SIT!” – the CW’s new game show that In 2012 she joined the Tom Joyner Morning Show, where debuted in August 2012. The show is a fun, high-stakes, high- she does a lifestyle segment every Wednesday, and conducts octane musical chairs competition, with physically demand- research around health issues. On June 25, 2013, she appeared ing, obstacle course-style eliminations. Ray is in the trenches on “Good Morning America” in a segment featuring actress with the contestants, adding color commentary throughout Gabrielle Union. In the piece Union credited Johnson for the show. The second season of “OH SIT!” ran from April replacing her “mean girl” attitude with a positive, uplifting one. through June 2013.

20 SPELMAN MESSENGER Christine King Farris, Keisha Knight Pulliam, C’2001, joined C’48, was pictured and nine other celebrities to train and compete quoted in the Life & Style in regulation platform and springboard section of the November diving for ABC’s new series, Splash. The 9–15, 2012 issue of The show premiered on March 19, 2013. Atlanta Voice in the article Pulliam also reunited with her Cosby “Salute To A King: New Show sister, Tempestt Bledsoe, on the Center a Bridge from Poverty season finale of Bledsoe’s latest sitcom, “Guys With Kids,” on to Prosperity.” The article NBC. The show, in which the pair played sisters again, aired highlighted the ceremony on February 27, 2013. launching the Martin Luther King, Sr. Community Resource Center, which will provide Tai social and financial services to the community. Bernice King, In her recent role as Target Style Correspondent, Beauchamp C’2000, C’ 85, was also quoted in the article. Farris and King both , was in attendance at the Beverly Hills Essence Black Women in Hollywood delivered remarks at the King Center’s Salute to Greatness Hotel to cover the lun- Awards Dinner 2013, on January 19. In March 2013, the cheon where she had the opportunity to interview several Christine King Farris Spelman College Education Studies celebrities, including the Power Award winner Oprah Win- Program hosted Book Talk with Farris in the Camille Olivia frey. The event, held on February 21, 2013, recognized Black Hanks Cosby Academic Center. women who have made significant achievements on and off screen. In November 2012, Beauchamp hosted and produced “In Her Shoes,” a show that connects with power women to On January 30, 2013, Bernice King, understand what it’s like to be “in their shoes,” on the digital C’85, delivered the 2013 Martin Luther network, ChicRebellion.tv. On June 4, 2013, she was named King Jr. Lecture at Brown University. by HelloBeautiful.com one of the “25 Women You Need to Her talk “Advancing the ‘Dream’: Know This Year: Media Maven Edition.” Addressing Social Equity Issues to Elimi- nate Health Disparities in the 21st Cen- Jacqueline Bolden, C’68, tury,” was open to the public and was made available online. served as the sponsor for one of the U.S. Navy’s newest ships, the USNS Montford Black Mecca of the South Tours and the Auburn Avenue Point (MLP-1) at a ceremony Research Library presented, A Life of Service: Honoring Dr. held on March 2, 2013. Georgia Dwelle. The community discussion, facilitated by General Dynamics NASSCO local historian Nasir Muhammad, explored the life of Georgia christened the vessel at its San Dwelle, HS’00, the first Spelman College alumna to attend Diego shipyard with more than 1,000 in attendance. medical school (Meharry Medical College). The event was held during Women’s History Month on March 24, 2013. Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson, C’64, made history by becoming the first African American Chief Justice of the On March 14, 2013, the Louisiana State Supreme Court when York Dispatch published the she took her official oath of office on announcement that Pamela February 1, 2013, in a courtroom Gunter-Smith, C’73, was ceremony. On February 28, 2013, selected to serve as president she celebrated publicly, taking the of York College. Her historic oath of office again this time on appointment makes her the the steps of the Louisiana Supreme College’s first female and the Court with family, friends and first minority person chosen for colleagues present at her investiture the position. Her most recent ceremony. She was elected to serve on previous position was provost the Louisiana Supreme Court in 1994, and academic vice president of and was re-elected, without opposition, Drew University in Madison, in 2000 and 2010. As Chief Justice, she New Jersey. chairs the Louisiana Judicial Council and the Human Resources Committee, and is a member of the Judicial Budgetary Control Board.

FALL 2012 21 Fleda M. Jackson 1981 Alumnae Association of Spelman Giselle Jones Professional: Quoted in the article, Omelika Kuumba College, Decatur Chapter’s 25th Professional: Received the Excellence “Infant Mortality Addressed by Professional: Performed with Anniversary Celebration on Novem- in Teaching Award from Bennett Outreach,” on January 28, 2013, GIWAYEN MATA at the Spel- ber 11, 2012, at Spelman College. College for Women, Greensboro, SFGate.com. man College department of North Carolina, at their 2013 com- music’s fourth Kenyetta Festival Lisa Cook mencement. Dr. Jones has taught Delores L. McCollum Women in Jazz, April 4–6, 2013, Professional: Appeared on the English for 21 years. Professional: Appointed as an adjunct at Spelman College. On March 28, Melissa Harris-Perry Show on Feb- instructor in the Founders School of 2013, GIWAYEN MATA cele- ruary 23, 2013, on the MSNBC Lisa Price Stevens Continuing Education at Ashland brated its 20th anniversary. Kuumba network. Professional: Invited to participate in University, Ashland, Ohio. She is is the co-founder and artistic direc- a round table discussion with Health co-author of the book, Your First tor of the dance ensemble. Kathaleena Edward Monds and Human Service Secretary Kath- 30 Minutes – The ABC’s of Successful Professional: Received a mini-grant leen Sebelius about women and the Classroom Management, published 1982 awarded by the University of Affordable Care Act. Price Stevens by RoseDog books. Cassandra Morgan Nebraska-Lincoln 4-H in May 2012. is the medical director of the Daily Professional: Received the 2013 Funds in the amount of $1,000 will Planet, a federally qualified health Jacqueline Rushin-Blackwell NAASC Merit Award at the be used to support a week-long sum- care center in Richmond, Virginia. Education: Received her Ed.D. from Reunion 2013 Blue Note Theatre mer camp for middle-school-aged Jones International University in for her exceptional committee girls who are members of Girl Scouts 1990 December 2012. leadership in the NAASC, her sus- and 4-H to spark their interest in Tracey D. Hughes tained financial support to Spelman science, technology, engineering and Professional: Ordained into the Dia- Carole C. Smitherman College and her high professional mathematics. conate of Emmanuel Baptist Church Professional: Her investiture to the achievement. in Brooklyn, New York, on August Jefferson County Circuit Court, 1987 5, 2012. Place 13, held on March 2, 2013, 1983 Angela Baskerville at More Than Conquerors Faith Susan L. Johnson Professional: Appointed as vice presi- 1991 Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Professional: Named vice president dent of Mobility PMO and Deliv- Tayari Jones of diversity and inclusion for The ery, AT&T Services, Inc. on April Professional: Awarded the Girls 1974 Hartford, a leader in property and 16, 2013. Write Now Award on May 7, 2013, Arletta Brinson casualty insurance, group benefits in New York. In addition to her Professional: Contributed a chapter and mutual funds, in May 2013. Susan Evans contributions as a writer, Jones has to the textbook, Community Engage- Previously she was vice president of Professional: Celebrated the grand served as a chair of the Girls Write ment, Organization and Development executive succession and diversity opening of her Health & Beauty Now board of directors. It’s New for Public Health Practice, edited by strategies at Pitney Bowes. Institute August 20–24, 2012, in York’s first and only writing and Frederick G. Murphy and published Beverly Hills, California. mentoring program for underserved by Springer Publishing Company 1984 high school girls. in 2013. Jina Billups Pearce Allison Green Professional: Performed at Jazz n’ Professional: Named to the 2013 Tess Vismale 1977 Soul Holiday Vibes at The Quarry list of the 25 Most Influential Black Professional: Featured in the article, Geneva Baxter Restaurant on December 8, 2012, in Women in Business by The Network “How I Work: Tess Vismale on Professional: Honored at the Spel- Tuckahoe, New York. Journal (TNJ), a business magazine Executing Events,” on the website, man College 2012 Service Awards with an audience of predominantly Connect Meetings Intelligence, on luncheon on October 11, 2012, for Renee Chube Washington African American professionals, February 28, 2013. 25 years of service to the College. Professional: Named chief operat- corporate executives and business ing officer of USA Track & Field; owners. She is senior vice president 1992 Cynthia Guthrie Johnson she started her position on June 1, and chief diversity officer at Lincoln Shawn Pride Professional: Selected to receive the 2012. Financial Group. Professional: Joined her company, P Medgar Evers Award for exemplary & L Consulting Group, with Ernst service and dedication to the commu- 1985 Teri Lee Thompson & Young LLP’s Financial Services nity and the President’s Award by the Vickie L. Hughes Professional: Sworn into the United Office (FSO) in New York and Dal- DuPage County Branch, NAACP. Professional: Founded a Charlotte, States Supreme Court in Washing- las in March 2013. P & L Consult- She retired from the College of North Carolina chapter of a youth ton, D.C. on November 5, 2012. ing Group was a boutique advisory DuPage in Illinois in August 2012. nonprofit organization, “Debu- She has represented 18 men and company. In her new role, Pride tantes,” for minority girls aged women facing the death penalty will lead the U.S. advisory services 1979 10–15, in June 2010. The Black throughout the State of Georgia as for private equity firms. Rhonda Haines Lastie Girls’ Corner™ obtained 501(c) a senior trial attorney at the Georgia Professional: Presented with the (3) status, effective February 2011. Capital Defender Office. 1993 NASW-Georgia Chapter 2011 As of July 19, 2012, three Spel- Teffonee Taylor Anderson Social Work of the Year Award in man alumnae – Rhonda Brooks, 1989 Birth: Daughter, Elizabeth ReNea October 2011. She was also selected C’96, Mareisha Winters, C’2002, Tomika DePriest Anderson, born on February 3, as the 2012 Rick Perkins Award Rogina Scott-Franklin, C’97 – are Professional: Honored at the Spel- 2012. Winner (Instructor of the Year) for currently serving on the board of man College 2012 Service Awards Excellence In Technical Instruction directors. Volunteer staff, the board luncheon on October 11, 2012, for Ayanna Higgins Hudson for Athens Technical College. of directors and guest facilitators 10 years of service to the College. Professional: Named director of arts work together to train these “debu- education for the National Endow- Helen Smith Price tantes” to be leaders. Heather Hawes ment for the Arts. Hudson joins the Professional: Featured speaker for Professional: Named Organizational NEA from the Los Angeles County the LEADS 2013 Alumnae Voices: 1986 Planner of the Year in March Arts Commission. Her position Kimberly B. Davis Leaders on Lead- Eloise Abernathy Alexis 2013 during the 2013 Idea Fac- began July 2, 2012. ership Speaker Series on April 2, Professional: Honored with the Spel- tory Conference, hosted by Event 2013, at Spelman College. Angel Nia Award at the National Solutions magazine.

22 SPELMAN MESSENGER Monya A Stubbs at The Studio Museum in Harlem, of Wisconsin Law School. She Stephanie Scott Professional: Served as the guest New York. This site-specific work began her two-year fellowship in Professional: Launched her public preacher for the Founders Day Wor- is a suite of projects that respond fall 2012. relations firm, First and Last PR, in ship Service on April 7, 2013, in to American stories about race and the fall of 2012. Sisters Chapel. DNA. The exhibition opened March Maia Jackson 28 and closed June 30, 2013. Professional: Accepted a position Jade Lambert-Smith 1994 with KPMAS as physician director Professional: Produced a professional Jennifer Bliss Asha Roberts Rashad for multicultural services in Septem- production of Crowns during 2013 Professional: Performed at the Spel- Professional: Appointed an advisory ber 2012. Mother’s Day weekend at Southwest man College department of music’s board member of the Greenhouse Arts Center in Atlanta. fourth Kenyetta Festival Women in Foundation, an initiative formed Shani Peterson Jazz, April 4–6, 2013, at Spelman by mega-entertainer CeeLo Green Professional: Honored at the Spel- Faune Chambers Watkins College. and his sister, Shedonna Alexander. man College 2012 Service Awards Professional: Featured in the article, The mission of the foundation is luncheon on October 11, 2012, for “The Uncommon Life of Faune Marla Frederick “to provide education and financial five years of service to the College. Chambers Watkins: With Humility Professional: Featured guest for the resources to support schools in their and Grace, the Actress Reflects on Founders Day Worship Service on activities to educate and encour- K’Shaun Sherice Sanders Life after Spelman,” in the Special April 7, 2013, in Sisters Chapel. age school-aged children to adopt Education: Received a doctorate Homecoming October 2012 edition green living practices. The program in education in curriculum and of the Maroon Tiger. Stacii Jae Johnson was launched at Southwest Atlanta instruction from the University of Professional: Launched “Black Girls Christian Academy. South Carolina in August 2012. Maisha Wynn Radio: Power. Passion. Persever- Professional: Covered the 2012 ance.” on January 26, 2013. The Rachelle Kirby Scott 1998 Democratic National Convention show provides a talk radio format Professional: Selected as one of the Jennyfer A. Holmes in Charlotte, North Carolina, for and features four segments – Social- 40 under 40 for Albany, Georgia, in Personal: Interviewed for a segment UptownMagazine.com. List, What Puzzles Me, Girl Mas- April 2012. A luncheon in honor of featuring Spelman student Reba R. terminds and For the Record. The the 40/40 recipients was held at the Stanley for the United Negro Col- 1999 weekly show airs on WAEC AM, Doublegate Country Club on May lege Fund’s “An Evening of Stars” Andrea H. Evans LOVE 860. 4, 2012. that aired January 27, 2013, on Professional: Selected as an IMPACT BET. Champion of Change. Champions Christina Joseph Robinson 1996 of Change are individuals who give Birth: Daughter, Nina Renée Rob- DeKimberlen Neely Brandi Iryshe of their time and talent to improve inson, born on April 16, 2012, at St. Professional: Honored at the Spel- Professional: Recently opened her the lives of individuals and commu- Barnabas Medical Center, Livings- man College 2012 Service Awards own practice, Iryshe Immigration, nities. During the 2013 Inaugura- ton, New Jersey. luncheon on October 11, 2012, for LLC, in Georgia which focuses on tion, IMPACT hosted an inaugural five years of service to the College. family law and immigration law. jazz brunch to honor Champions of 1995 Change on January 20, 2013. Stacey Y. Abrams Latriece Watkins Denice Johnson Professional: Participated in the Key- Professional: Named a vice president Married: Wesley Smith (Morehouse, Heather Thompson note Conversation for the Spelman for Walmart. Class of ‘94) on September 22, Married: Edward Burke on Sep- College Homecoming Convocation – 2012, on the beach at Jekyll Island, tember 22, 2012, in Ellenwood, Women Changing the World through 1997 Georgia. Georgia. Their wedding was featured Advocacy and Public Policy on Octo- Tiffany Johnson Cole in the September 28, 2012, issue of ber 25, 2012, in Sisters Chapel. Professional: Honored on August 10, Joi Lucas The New York Times. 2012 as one of Tuskegee, Alabama’s Professional: Graduated from a fel- Amy Adkins Most Influential People by the lowship in pediatric pulmonology at Alyx B. Porter Umphrey Married: Gregory Harris on October Southeast Small Business Magazine. Children’s National Medical Center Professional: Published her first 6, 2012, in Springfield, Virginia. In addition to this honor she was in Washington, D.C. in June 2012. book, Navigating Life with a Brain recently appointed the first African Effective fall 2012, she began prac- Tumor, in November 2012. It’s Noelle LeVeaux American Municipal Court judge in ticing at the newly opened Nemours a resource for patients and their Professional: Accepted position Jackson Gap, Alabama. Children’s Hospital in Orlando, loved ones to help demystify and as chief marketing officer for the Florida. empower. Porter is the director of Dallas Convention and Visitor’s Laurie Cumbo neuro-oncology at the Mayo Clinic Bureau on November 26, 2012. She Professional: Launched her campaign Heather McTeer in Arizona. was featured in the article, “Mom for the New York City Council in Professional: Participated in the Key- Next Door: Noelle LeVeaux/Chief the 35th Council District represent- note Conversation for the Spelman 2000 Marketing Officer at the Dallas ing the communities of Fort Greene, College Homecoming Convoca- Frances Carter-Johnson Convention & Visitors Bureau,” in Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, tion – Women Changing the World Professional: Spoke at The annual the Dallas Fort Worth North Texas Crown Heights and parts of Bedford through Advocacy and Public Policy LEADS Girls Leadership Institute Child. Stuyvesant. Her platform is based on on October 25, 2012, in Sisters on November 17, 2012, in the three major elements that she’s most Chapel. Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Aca- Monica Newman McCluney passionate about: investing in eco- demic Center at Spelman College. Professional: Vice president of pro- nomic development, strengthening Lola Pyne prietary programs & strategic initia- and stabilizing not-for-profit organi- Professional: Her work in developing Lezli Harvell tives for The Thurgood Marshall zations and service employees, and “A Book That Shaped Me” Summer Professional: Featured as an expert in College Fund reforming our educational system. Writing Contest for DC-area youth Parents Magazine’s February 2013 was featured in the article “Student issue in an article about children’s Mendi Obadike Cori Harvey Essayists Pick ‘Books That Shaped oral health for Children’s Dental Professional: Presented “American Professional: Selected as the recipient Me’ in Library Contest” in the Health month. Cypher,” an installation by concep- of the highly prestigious William H. October 5, 2012 issue of the Library tual artists Mendi + Keith Obadike Hastie Fellowship by The University of Congress Gazette. summer 2013 23 Take Note!

The 44th Annual NAACP Novelist, playwright Image Awards were held at the and poet Pearl Cleage, Shrine Auditorium in Los Ange- C’71, has been awarded les on Friday, February 1, 2013, a three-year residency by yielding three Spelman alumnae the Andrew W. Mellon winners. Actress Cassi Davis, Foundation to continue C’ 2009, won Best Actress in her work with the Alli- a Comedy for her role in the ance Theatre. She holds television series, “Tyler Perry’s the role, playwright in House of Payne.” Jai Ferrell, residence, through their C’2005, is the executive pro- 2015–16 season. She was honored at Synchronicity’s 11th ducer of BET Network & CENTRIC TV’s first animated Annual Women in the Arts Panel Luncheon on February 27, movie, “Kasha & the Zulu King,” which won an NAACP 2013 at The Georgian Terrace. The theme for the event was Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Program. The “Currency, Culture and Community: How Leading Women project has several Spelman ties, including the lead characters Are Changing Our City.” In August 2012, Cleage and award- voiced by Cosby Endowed Professor Shirley Franklin and winning filmmaker Ayoka Chenzira, founder and director of Spelman alumna Joy Brunson, C’2010. Some Spelman stu- the Spelman College Digital Moving Image Salon, announced dents were also contributors on the production end, acting as their partnership to bring Cleage’s novels to the screen in animators and production assistants. Health First! The Black what has been dubbed The Pearl Cleage Film Project. Their Woman’s Wellness Guide, written by the Black Women’s collaboration is considered historic as it marks the first time Health Imperative President and CEO Eleanor Hinton an African American female novelist and an African American Hoytt, C’64, and award-winning health journalist Hilary female filmmaker have joined forces to bring entertaining Beard, was also recognized for being an outstanding literary and thought-provoking multidimensional characters who are work – instructional. African American to the screen in feature films. Several Spel- man alumnae are also involved in the film project; they include Cydnee Bayless, C’2009, editor, Moriah Hope Thomas, “Closing the Gap: The State of Black Broward Health C’2011, music composition, and Juliana Montgomery, Report,” written on behalf of the Urban League of Broward C’2006, videography. County by Danielle Doss-Brown, C’2008, was released in early 2013. Doss-Brown served as editorial director of the 17-page document that received coverage in many media In honor of her retirement as the coordinator of the Citizens’ outlets including the Miami Herald article, “Report Shows Courtwatch Program, the office of the Fulton County district Health Concerns in Broward’s Black Communities,” on attorney proclaimed January 11, 2013, Janet Lane Martin January 31, 2013, the Sun Sentinel article, “Report Paints [C’72] Appreciation Day in Fulton County, Georgia. A retire- Dismal Picture of Health for Broward Blacks,” and “Poverty, ment luncheon was held on January 10, 2013, where Fulton Access Issues Blamed for Poor Health in Broward’s Black County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr., presented Mar- Communities,” on WLRN Miami on February 1, 2013. tin with a plaque and the proclamation.

Spelman College Trustee Kimberly Davis, C’81, served as The Spelman College Women in Spiri- the featured speaker at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Worship tual Discernment of Ministry (WIS- Service on January 20, 2013, in Sisters Chapel. The former DOM) Center Awards were held on president of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation retired after 21 February 1, 2013, at the Johnnetta B. years of service on December 31, 2012. Cole Living and Learning Center II Auditorium. Several Spelman alum- nae were honored, including Annette On February 25, 2013, ABC-7 WJLA ran the segment, Norwood Hill, C’75; Berdie Ricks “Dovey Roundtree , C’38, Civil Rights Leader Profile.” The Hardon, C’68; Dineo Brinson, C’94; news segment highlighted the new Roundtree Residences, a Eloise Alexis, C’86; Dr. Cynthia Neal Spence, C’78; building on Alabama Avenue Southeast, in Washington, D.C., Omelika Kuumba,C’81, and Meredith Coleman-Tobias, with more than 100 affordable units. The residences opened C’2006. The awards were a part of the WISDOM Center’s in March 2013, and are located on the street where Roundtree 10th Anniversary three-day event, A Legacy of Women in lived for many years. Transformational Ministry. Award-winning writer, Tina McElroy Ansa, C’71, was fea- tured in the May 2012 issue of Essence Magazine in the article, “Celebrating Mom: Their Beauty Astonishes Us. Their Fire Forges Us. Their Tenderness Makes Us Whole. Daughters and Sons Count the Ways We Cherish Our Mothers.”

24 SPELMAN MESSENGER During the Public Relations Society Kelly Smith Beaty, C’2002, was featured in the article, “Ex- of America Silver Anvil Awards Georgian Slams How Reality TV Portrays Blacks,” in the June event held in New York on June 13, 21, 2012, issue of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The article 2013, Tomika DePriest, C’89, the discusses her essay, “Will the Real Black People of Atlanta Please executive director of the Office of Stand Up?” that blasted the depiction of African Americans on Communications at Spelman, and reality television. Her piece garnered heavy traffic on the Huffing- Terrilyn Simmons, integrated communications manager, accepted ton Post and several social media outlets. In 2010, Beaty was a con- the Award of Excellence for Integrated Communications for the testant on Donald Trump’s business reality show, The Apprentice. Spelman Wellness Revolution.

Television, film and stage writer Kathleen McGhee-Anderson, C’ 72, was honored during Women’s History Month by the California African American Museum. On March 21, 2013, An Evening with Kathleen McGhee-Anderson, a conversation moderated by Shirley Jo Finney, took place in Los Angeles. McGhee-Anderson’s writing credits include “Amen,” “Benson,” Mattiwilda Dobbs, C’ 46, is one of “227,” “Gimme a Break,” “The Cosby Show,” “Touched by an the first Blacks to have an international Angel” and “Any Day Now.” She was the executive producer and operatic career. It wasn’t until 1954 Photo: s p el m an ar c hives showrunner for Showtime’s “Soul Food” and the ABC family that she would debut in the United show, “Lincoln Heights.” States with The Little Orchestra Society in New York, and in 1955, she became the first African Marcelite J. Harris, C’64, was featured in the article “AF General American to play a major role Shatters Both Gender, Racial Barriers,” on the U.S. Air Force in the San Francisco Opera. The official website on March 18, 2013. The article highlighted her soprano made her Metropolitan groundbreaking career which included her becoming the Air Force’s Opera debut as Gilda in Rigoletto first female African American general in 1991. She was honored at on November 9, 1956. While it is the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Annual Gala in Houston, well known that Marian Anderson Texas, on February 22, 2013; and at the eighth annual Black was the first Black to perform at the Enterprise Women of Power Summit on February 27, 2013. She New York Metropolitan Opera, it was featured in a vignette that aired from January 28 – February was Dobbs who was the first to be 11, 2013, for BET Black History Month. In the piece she shared offered a long-term contract. Photo: s p el m an ar c hives vintage photos and thoughts about her historic career. She also encouraged others to believe in themselves and to break more boundaries, saying “Go for it! Don’t be deterred.”

Patricia Graham Johnson, C’73, was honored by the Black Women Film Network, an organization she helped build, at 16th Annual Untold Stories Awards Luncheon on March 8, 2013, at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta. Johnson is credited with nurturing the organization through its infancy and growth by coordinating event volunteers. In addition to working on the BWFN volunteer program, she was also the board secretary for two years, but she found her “niche” within the organization as historian. Her foresight and careful collection of the BWFN papers made it possible to document the 15-year history of the organization through minutes, photos, programs, correspondence and other materials. She was one of eight Black Women Film Network 2013 Untold Stories Winners. Like Dobbs, Janinah Burnett, C’2000, is creating an internation- ally critically acclaimed operatic career. She has performed around In March 2013, “Your Health Connection” debuted on WCLK the world including at the Deutsche Opera Berlin, the Cape Town Barbara Washington, C’72, FM. hosts the program, researching Opera, and the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center. Burnett joined and interviewing guests for the health outreach program that the Metropolitan Opera roster in 2008 for their productions of focuses on cancer, particularly prostate cancer, and the keys to Carmen and La Bohème and has since returned for Le Nozze di healthy lifestyles. It is sponsored by the Center for Cancer Research Figaro, La Rondine, and Iphigenie en Tauride. She debuted at the and Therapeutic Development at Clark Atlanta University and Metropolitan Opera in January 2013 as Bianca in La Rondine. WCLK-FM, 91.9.

Summer 2013 25 Kenique Penn chamber version of Truth by Paula Karen Fields Lever Alexis Wells Birth: Son George Thomas Freeman, Kimper, Talaya Delaney (libret- Professional: Opened BRUSH Den- Professional: Featured preacher at the III, born on February 13, 2013. tist) and conceptualized by Linda tal Studio at Forest Park Plaza in Homecoming Worship Service on McInerny on February 16, 2013, in Forest Park, Illinois. BRUSH is the October 12, 2012, at Sisters Chapel. Jinean Robinson Northampton, Massachusetts. first modern, chic dental practice in Professional: Launched Remedy, a the community, emphasizing patient 2005 mobile food company focused on Maya Rucker care and quality dentistry as the Tsedey Bogale using local ingredients and rebuild- Professional: Honored at the Spel- focal points. Education: Earned a law degree from ing lives of Atlanta’s at-risk girls and man College 2012 Service Awards the University of Pennsylvania Law women survivors of exploitation in luncheon on October 11, 2012, for Danita McClain School in May 2013. Started as April 2013. five years of service to the College. Professional: Honored at the Spel- an associate at Reed Smith LLP in man College 2012 Service Awards Philadelphia in the fall of 2013. 2001 2003 luncheon on October 11, 2012, for Regan Brown Preye K. Cobham 15 years of service to the College. Tanea Chane Professional: Completed her resi- Professional: Selected as a 2013 Fel- Married: Earnest Womack, Jr., dency at the University of Kansas low with the United Nations Office Thea Alexandria Waller Morehouse Class of 2007, on Octo- School of Medicine-Wichita Family of the High Commissioner for Married: W. Gregory Stevens II on ber 14, 2012. Medicine Residency Program at Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination July 8, 2012, at The Chapel at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Section in Geneva, Switzerland. She Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada. Candice Crowell Kansas, in the spring of 2012. is one of five Fellows from differ- Education: Received the Mental ent parts of the world selected from 2004 Health and Substance Abuse Ser- Ruha Benjamin numerous candidates. Jessica Davenport vices Predoctoral Fellowship from Professional: Published the book, Professional: Participated in A Tril- the American Psychological Asso- People’s Science: Bodies and Rights on Makeba Dixon-Hill ogy of Alumnae Preachers Worship ciation (APA). She is a third-year the Stem Cell Frontier, via Stanford Professional: Participated in The Cre- Service on February 3, 2013, in doctoral student in counseling psy- University Press in 2013. She was ative Class on April 4, 2013, at the Sisters Chapel. Mia Dunlap, C’2010 chology at the University of Geor- the Black History month keynote Spelman College Museum of Fine and Tiffany A. Thomas, C’2008, gia College of Education, whose speaker at Georgia Tech’s History, Art. The Creative Class is an oppor- also participated. research focuses on African Ameri- Technology, and Society program tunity to hear from some of the most can male sexuality education. on February 25, 2013. innovative and intriguing arts profes- Christian McKenzie sionals working today. Naima Keith, Professional: Wrote the article Jana J. Edmondson-Cooper Natasha Foster-Owens C’2003, was also featured in the event. “When the Black Co-Worker Professional: Appointed to serve a Professional: Promoted into the Throws Shade at Your Fro,” pub- three-year term on the Leadership and inaugural Production Executive Hilary Jones lished November 1, 2012, on MSN- Diversity Committee of the National Training Program at ABC Studios, Professional: Accepted a position as BC’s TheGrio.com. That article Legal Aid & Defender Association a division of The Walt Disney associate professor of history at Flor- was mentioned in the piece, “Afro Civil Policy Group. Her legal article Company on June 1, 2012. Her ida International University begin- Discrimination from a Black Co- “Working with an Interpreter: Pro- promotion was highlighted in Issue ning June 2013. Her book, The Metis Worker? Don’t Pat the Fro!,” posted viding Effective Communication & Number 4 of Emmy Magazine, of Senegal: Urban Life and Politics in November 4, 2012, on BlackEnter- Ensuring Limited-English-Proficient distributed by the Academy of French West Africa, recently appeared prise.com. Clients Have Meaningful Access to Television Arts & Sciences. from Indiana University Press. Justice” was published as a feature Maya T. Prabhu article in the Georgia Bar Journal in Tanisha McGlothen Naima Keith Professional: Honored by the February 2013. Professional: Featured speaker at Professional: Featured at The Cre- South Carolina Press Association Married: Teristan P. Cooper, Clark the RISE/HHMI seminar “Leptin ative Class on April 4, 2013, at the for the article “Woman Discovers Atlanta University Class of 2005, Mediated Signaling in Triple Nega- Spelman College Museum of Fine $24,000 in Unclaimed Money for on March 29, 2013, in Savannah, tive Breast Cancer” open discussion Museum of Fine Art. On April 6, Her Friend” published on October Georgia. and research talk on April 4, 2013, 2013, she led visits to studios, collec- 15, 2012; and “For 83-Year-Old, at Spelman College. tions and contemporary art spaces in Watching Myrtle Beach City Coun- Adrienne T. Hunter Atlanta. cil at Work a Good Way to Learn Education: Recipient of the 2013 2002 Something New,” November 6, Melvin “Bubba” Nickles, M.D. Cyreena Boston Ashby AeuMuro Lake 2012, on Myrtle Beach Online. Scholarship at the Medical Univer- Birth: Daughter Ava Elizabeth Professional: Completed her sity of South Carolina where she Ashby on October 4, 2012, in Port- residency program at the Uni- Katrina L. Rogers is working on her doctor of health land, Oregon. versity of Massachusetts Medical Professional: Received the 2013 administration degree. School department of obstetrics & NAASC Young Alumna Award at Professional: Selected as one of five Philathia Bolton gynecology in June 2012. She is cur- the Reunion 2013 Blue Note The- fellows for the competitive Centers Professional: Joined the University rently in the Female Pelvic Medicine atre for her service in the commu- for Disease Control & Preven- of Akron as assistant professor of & Reconstructive Surgery Fellow- nity and the NAASC, for financial tion Public Health Informatics English and Pan-African studies in ship Program at Yale University support to Spelman College and for Fellowship where she has been April 2013. School of Medicine. high professional achievement. appointed the lead informatician for Birth: Daughter, Alem Gebrewold, selected epidemiology surveillance Leah Jackson born on October 25, 2012. Kia Smith projects in Haiti and the cook stove Professional: Featured speaker at the Professional: Featured in TVOne’s burns registry project in India. Sisters Chapel Labor Day Worship Ashley Brookins Layne new video College Guide series, Service on September 2, 2012. Birth: Daughter, London Brooke “Elevate: Guide to Higher Learn- Sherina E. Maye Layne, born on March 9, 2013, in ing.” She’s featured in four out of Professional: Appointed by Governor Mari-Yan Pringle Atlanta. She weighed 7 lb. 4oz. and nine videos, including commentary Pat Quinn to be commissioner of Professional: Performed the lead role was 21 inches long. about different aspects of her college the Illinois Commerce Commission of Isabella Van Wagenen/Sojourner career. on February 25, 2013. She will serve Truth in the world premiere of the a five-year appointment.

26 SPELMAN MESSENGER Shaquaya Shelby Alexis T. Hudson 2009 “Being Here,” a dance work choreo- Professional: Launched campus-to- Professional: Accepted a position as Miriam Archibong graphed by Marjani Forte (formerly career guidance blog, offcampuscareer- regional account manager, partner Professional: Accepted an offer to with the Urban Bush Women) coach.com, in October 2012 to serve development at EverFi in September intern at the White House in the which premiered at Danspace in students, grads and transitioners. 2012. Office of Public Engagement and New York City March 21–23, 2013. Intergovermental Affairs, beginning Tendayi Kuumba currently dances 2006 Christian Mitchell June 3, 2013. Immediately after with Ase Dance Theater Collective, Tonischia Purvis Brown Professional: Accepted a position the internship concludes, she will Liberata Dance Theatre and the Married: Devin L Brown, More- with The Spelman College Office of start her first year as a University of Nathan Trice/Rituals Performance house Class of 2006, on July 7, Annual Giving as the annual giving Pennsylvania law school student. Project, along with being the resi- 2012, in Houston, Texas, at the officer in September 2012. Her pri- dent jazz vocalist at the Williams- First Presbyterian Church of King- mary role will be managing reunion, Ginene Lewis burg Music Center in Brooklyn, wood. faculty/staff and parent fundraising Education: Earned a law degree New York. efforts. from the University of Pennsylvania Candis Mayweather Hunter Law School in May 2012. She is Kimberly Scott Professional: Inducted into the Calida Garcia Rawles a law clerk to the Honorable Patrice Professional: Guest preacher at Institute of Georgia Environmental Professional: Showcased “Out of Tucker of the Federal District Court Worship Service on February 17, Leadership (IGEL), Class of 2013 in Darkness,” a series of portraits, at for the Eastern District of Pennsyl- 2013 at Sisters Chapel. January 2013. Wilshire Ebell Theater, Los Angeles, vania, and was honored as one of the February 6–27, 2013. “Ten to Watch” on the On Being 2012 Ayana Boswell Lewis a Black Lawyer 2013 Power 100 Stella Beckham Education: Earned a law degree from Shannon Sanders List of the most influential black Professional: Featured in the the University of Pennsylvania Law Education: Graduated from attorneys in the country. After her Employee Spotlight in the February School in May 2012. She is an asso- Georgetown Law School in 2011 clerkship, she will start as an associ- 23, 2013, Spelman Connection. ciate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and sworn into the Maryland Bar ate at Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP LLP in Philadelphia. Association on June 20, 2012. She in Philadelphia. Breyon Dixon is currently working at the Securities Professional: Featured in the New Jasmine Layla Martin Robinson and Exchange Commission. Kyla Marshell York Post article, “Top of the Class: Birth: Jada Lacey Robinson, born on Education: awarded a master of fine How Three Recent College Grads November 15, 2012, in Atlanta. Shantoria Vance arts in creative writing from Sarah Avoided the Economic Pitfall – And Professional: Accepted a position Lawrence College in May 2012. In How You Can, Too,” on September Talitha Washington with Spelman College Relations and 2013, she was awarded a Jacob K. 4, 2012. The article featured recent Professional: Became the second Institutional Advancement as col- Javits Fellowship from the Depart- college graduates who secured their Black woman to hold a tenured lege relations manager in November ment of Education. dream job and are now working in position as an associate professor of 2012. Professional: Ebony.com named New York. Dixon works for Macy’s mathematics at Howard University, Marshell one of its “Seven Young Inc. the historically Black university in 2008 Black Writers You Should Know” Washington, D.C., in the fall of Leah Beverly in January 24, 2013. Chelsea Mary Elise Johnson 2012. She previously served as a vis- Professional: Promoted to deputy Professional: Awarded a University iting associate professor at Howard. district attorney in the criminal 2010 of Southern California fellowship Her appointment was listed in the division of the Clark County DA’s Joy Brunson and is pursuing a Ph.D. in sociol- Journal of Blacks in Higher Education Office in August 2012, becoming the Professional: Launched a $30,000 ogy. She received the North Ameri- in May 2012. youngest district attorney in an office Indiegogo Campaign for her golf can Society for the Sociology of with more than 100 DAs. Most nota- mentorship nonprofit organization Sport (NASSS) Graduate Diversity 2007 bly, she recently conducted an evi- for young women of color, Tee 2 Award in September 2012. Her Grace Lynis Dubinson dentiary hearing involving Orenthal Tea, as a part of its “Strive & Thrive” research paper, “Identity, Role and Professional: Participated in the film James Simpson, wherein Simpson movement in February 2013. Self-Representation: The Spelman screening of 1912: Voces para un was asking that his 2008 Nevada Experience and Performing for a Silencio/1912: Breaking the Silence, conviction for kidnapping, robbery Mia Dunlap Gender-Specific Audience,” was by renowned Cuban filmmaker Glo- and assault be overturned and that he Professional: Participated in A Tril- published in The Mellon Mays ria Rolando, on March 20, 2013, at be given a new trial. Her work on the ogy of Alumnae Preachers Worship Undergraduate Fellowship Journal Spelman College. Simpson hearing received national Service on February 3, 2013, in 2012. and local attention from the media Sisters Chapel. Jessica Davenport, Jessica Edwards and the legal community. C’2004 and Tiffany A. Thomas, Alicia Sheares Professional: Tenure-track appoint- C’2008, also participated. Professional: Wrote the article, ment at the University of Delaware. Katrina Moore “Let’s Work to Close the Gender Professional: Guest preacher at Wor- Eriqah R Foreman-Williams and Wage Gap” on the gender-racial Barbara Furlow ship Service on February 10, 2013 Professional: Appointed as the wage gap issue published in the Professional: Named employee of the at Sisters Chapel. Southeast campus field coordinator Atlanta Business Chronicle on month by her employer, Viacom for the National Wildlife Federation May 3, 2013. Media Networks, in February 2013. Tiffany A. Thomas on March 15, 2012. She is the coordinator for Viacom’s Professional: Participated in A Tril- Office of Global Inclusion. ogy of Alumnae Preachers Worship Tendayi Kuumba Education: Received a master’s in Service on February 3, 2013, in Professional: Cited in the New public administration from Baruch Sisters Chapel. Jessica Davenport, York Times review, “The Sameness College in December 2012. C’2004 and Mia Dunlap, C’2010, of Their Differences,” published Personal: Attended the taping of also participated. on March 22, 2013, for her per- Katie Couric’s first bride-to-be show formance as a featured dancer in that aired on Valentine’s Day 2013.

summer 2013 27 Joy San Walker Brown, C’52 January 1, 1932 – October 25, 2012

Joy San Walker Brown was born to Dave member of the and Mable Walker in Coldspring, Texas. She board of Atlanta graduated with honors from Phyllis Wheatley Parents and High School in Houston, Texas, and was elected Public Linked for Miss Wheatley Homecoming Queen. After Education, chair graduating from high school, she enrolled at and co-chair of Spelman College and graduated magna cum many committees laude with a degree in biology. Although she for the Auxiliary planned to attend medical school following to Atlanta Medical matriculation at Spelman College, the realities Association, chair of of the time regarding women in medicine – the Bridges Across Atlanta, 1950s – prevented such an endeavor. She married member of the board of Senior Citizens Services, her college sweetheart, Calvin A. Brown, Jr., a member of the board of the Visiting Nurses Morehouse College graduate, and relentlessly Association, member of the board of the YWCA pursued community service and the development of Greater Atlanta, co-chair of the membership of other young, scientific minds. After 11 years committee for the Atlanta Children’s Theater of teaching elementary school in Atlanta and Guild, The Links, Inc., Atlanta Chapter, Nashville, Tennessee, her passion was redirected coordinator of “Project Lead.” She was president, to raising her two daughters and serving her vice-president, and chair of multiple committees community. She believed it takes a village to raise for the Utopian Literary Club, The Girlfriends, a child, and Mrs. Brown was that village for many. Inc., Atlanta Chapter, Just for Friends, Les Mrs. Brown’s service to the community Girls Bridge, Habitat for Humanity, Colonial was evident throughout her life. Her energy Williamsburg Foundation, UNICEF, Atlanta manifested itself in multiple civic as well as Urban League, UNCF, 100 Black Women of social organizations. Her numerous activities Metropolitan Atlanta, the High Museum of included: Friends of Spelman College, Board of Art, the Alliance Theater, Friends of the Auburn the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Avenue Research Library, the Piedmont Park Youth, editor of “Net News,” Board of Governors Conservancy, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, of WXIA-TV – 11 Alive Community Service O.N.O. Bridge Club and Leadership Atlanta. Awards, board member of the Atlanta Committee Mrs. Brown’s love for her alma mater, Spelman for Public Education, vice chair of the Fulton College, was unwavering and demonstrated by her County Jury Commission, chairman of the board many acts of service to the college. She was a life of Atlanta Clean City Commission (appointed member of the National Alumnae Association. by Mayor Andrew Young until 1986), founding Mrs. Brown organized and chaired Spelman member of the Phoenix Chapter of the League Class of 1952 homecoming activities from her of Women Voters, board graduation until her death. She was the recipient member of the of the coveted Spelman College Founder’s Spirit Visiting Nurses Award and the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Spelman Association, chair College Alumnae Achievement Award for Civic of the Public Duties. Additionally, Mrs. Brown received Affairs Committee numerous honors and recognitions including In Memoriam for the YMCA of the 1985 Woman of the Year for Atlanta Clean Greater Atlanta, City Commission and the Golden Key National life member of the Honor Society’s Distinguished Community NAACP, advisory Service Award and Honorary Membership. board member of The celebration of “A Life Well Lived” was held the Phyllis Wheatley at Spelman College’s Sisters Chapel on November Branch of the YWCA, 10, 2012.

28 SPELMAN MESSENGER Taronda Elise Spencer, C’80 September 25, 1958 – May 17, 2013

As a teenager in New Orleans, Taronda University of New Orleans in 1985. She also Elise Spencer was introduced to Millicent attended the Archival Leadership Institute Dobbs Jordan, Spelman College graduate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and professor of English and African in June of 2008 and was certified by the American literature, when she visited the Academy of Certified Archivists in 1989. Amistad Research Center on the occasion Ms. Spencer began her career in archives of the official opening of the John Wesley as a processing archivist with The Historic Dobbs Family Papers (all six of the Dobbs New Orleans Collection, where she worked sisters graduated from Spelman College). from 1985 to 1991. From 1991 to 1997, she Professor Jordan was so impressed with worked at Wayne State University, where Ms. Spencer that she insisted that she she was an archivist at the Walter P. Reuther attend Spelman College. As a result, Ms. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs at Spencer went on to apply to Spelman, Wayne State University in Detroit and then with encouragement and advice from archivist for the Cooperative HBCU Archival Professor Jordan, and was accepted and Survey Project, a bibliographic survey of the offered a full scholarship. archives and manuscript collections housed In the fall of 1976, Ms. Spencer at historically Black colleges and universities. entered the gates of Spelman College as a In 1997, Ms. Spencer was hired by the student. In line with her desire to become Spelman College Women’s Research & an archivist, she majored in history, with Resource Center as the College’s first full- a minor in English. Her junior year, she time archivist. In 2000, she was appointed participated in the domestic exchange college historian by President Audrey Forbes program, embarking upon a semester of Manley, C’55. As the Spelman College study at Wellesley College in Wellesley, archivist and historian, Ms. Spencer was Massachusetts. known among the members of the campus While at Spelman, Ms. Spencer worked community for her lively, passionate and as a student in the office of Ernestine thorough oral presentations on Spelman’s Erskine Brazeal, C’28, who had recently history and traditions, most often done retired as alumnae secretary (a position without notes as she recited and shared her she held from 1943–1976), only to return extensive knowledge and understanding to the College to lead the efforts around of the holdings of the Spelman College the upcoming centennial celebration. Archives, and the College’s history and Ms. Spencer was by Mrs. Brazeal’s side traditions. Under her leadership, the as she gathered treasured information Spelman College Archives has grown in and memorabilia on Spelman’s history service and prominence as a valuable resource and traditions. Together, they amassed for faculty, staff, students, alumnae, the and preserved the publications, artifacts Atlanta University Center, international and photographs that would become scholars and researchers, and the general the foundation of the collections of the public. Exemplary leadership and service, in Spelman College Archives. her profession and at her beloved alma mater, After graduating from Spelman in are her legacy. the spring of 1980, Ms. Spencer went A Spelman celebration was held for Spencer on June 4, 2013, at Sisters Chapel. on to obtain a master’s degree in history Photo: Julie Yarbrough, C’91 and archives administration from the

Summer 2013 29 Clara Stanton Jones, C’34 May 14, 1913 – September 30, 2012

Clara Araminta Stanton, born on May 14, 1913, in St. Excellence and innovation were the platform for her rise Louis, Missouri, was the older of two children of Etta James through the ranks at the Detroit Public Library where, in Stanton and Ralph Herbert Stanton along with her younger 1970, she was appointed director, becoming the first woman sister Esi(Etta). She also had three older brothers, LaJeaux, and first Black director in the 105-year history of the fifth- Lawrence and Herbert, who were offspring of her father’s largest library system in the nation at the time. Ms. Jones previous marriage and whose mother passed when they were was the first Black woman elected president of the American young. Clara and her sister grew up in St. Louis with their Library Association, serving from 1976–77, and was appointed mother, a schoolteacher, and father, an insurance man, and by President Jimmy Carter to the National Commission on were surrounded by a large and close extended family of aunts, Libraries and Information Science, serving from 1978 until uncles, cousins and grandparents. 1982. She lectured and toured abroad in the national libraries Ms. Jones entered the gates of Spelman College and focused of Venezuela, Australia, China, West Germany and England. her studies in English, while engaging in campus life through She held board positions, published numerous articles in library participation in the University Players, the Social Problems journals, authored a textbook, and was listed in Who’s Who in Club, the Spelman-Morehouse Chorus and the Spelman America. She retired with her husband and moved from Detroit College Glee Club. to Oakland, California in 1978. Upon graduation from Spelman in 1934, Clara Stanton Spelman College celebrated the spirit and tenacity of Ms. Jones continued her educational and career pursuits, earning Jones by honoring her as the Founders Day Speaker in 1971 and a degree in library science at the University of Michigan, and conferring the College’s highest honor, the honorary degree, serving the libraries of Atlanta University, Dillard and Southern upon her in 1984, the year of her 50th Spelman reunion. universities before entering the Detroit Public Library System A Service of Worship in Witness to the Resurrection and In in 1944. Celebration and Memory of the Life of Clara Stanton Jones was While working at the Atlanta University library to save held on October 20, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church of money for graduate school at the University of Michigan, Ms. Oakland. Jones, met and often had lunch with faculty member W.E.B. Dubois who guided her reading and really inspired her. At the library, she also met her future husband of 70 years, Albert DeWitt Jones, who was doing graduate work in social work at Mary Shy Scott, C’50 Atlanta University. The couple married in St. Louis on June July 19, 1930 - April 15, 2013 25, 1938, and had three children, Stanton William, Vinetta Claire and Kenneth Albert. Mary Shy Scott, the first of three children, was born and raised in Atlanta to Robert Shy and Flora Spearman Shy. She enrolled at Spelman College where she graduated with a B.A. degree in 1950. In 1953, she was initiated into the Kappa Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She subsequently earned her master of arts degree from New York University and completed her postgraduate work in humanities at both New York and Georgia State universities where she became certified in supervision and administration. Additionally she was awarded her doctor of humane letters in 1990 by the Trustee Board of Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama. She was an extremely devoted wife and mother, married for over 62 years to Alfred Scott. The couple had one daughter, Alfredene Scott Benton, and two sons, Arthur Scott and Alfred Scott, Jr. Ms. Scott held several leadership positions in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. including chapter president and the 10th South Atlantic Regional Director for the South Atlantic region from 1982–1986. In 1986, she was elected the first international vice president, and went on to serve as the sorority’s 23rd

30 SPELMAN MESSENGER international president from to the University two years following. While Ms. 1990–1994. The theme of her Smith never attended the school, she was appointed administration was Creative to the Tennessee Board of Regents by Governor Ned Strategies for Action: Addressing McWherter in 1994. She served on the board until the Crises of the 1990s. 2006. During that time, the board created the Maxine As 23rd Supreme Basileus, Smith Fellows program. She also received an honorary she completed a $4 million doctorate from the University of Memphis nearly 50 building project for the sorority’s years later. international headquarters in Ms. Smith married Vasco Smith, Jr., in 1955. Smith Chicago and received a $15.5 was a dentist by profession and also a respected civil million contract from the rights leader. The couple had one son, Vasco “Smitty’’ U.S. Department of Labor Smith III. to operate the Cleveland Job Ms. Smith dedicated her life to civil rights and Corps Center, which offers education equality. She was on the forefront of change youths aged 16–21 training and led the charge or was actively involved in numerous in alternative programs for historic events during the civil rights era including the education. She capitalized desegregation of Memphis public schools in 1960, the at $1 million the sorority’s 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike and the “Black Educational Advancement Foundation which annually Monday” student boycotts that lasted from 1969 to 1972. awards more than $100,000 in scholarships. In 1991, she led Ms. Smith was the executive secretary of the NAACP for a delegation to Honolulu to both install and dedicate the first more than 40 years. She served on several boards, including the non-military commemorative plaque honoring unsung WWII National Civil Rights Museum, the Women’s Foundation for hero Doris Miller at Pearl Harbor. Greater Memphis and the Memphis Board of Education, from Her accolades, accomplishments and recognitions include 37 1971 until she retired in 1995. She’s received countless awards, citations and awards, 42 keys to cities, and 58 proclamations. honors and accolades, including a National Freedom Award In addition to her leadership roles in the Alpha Kappa Alpha from the Civil Rights Museum alongside former President Bill Sorority, Ms. Scott worked as an educator, elementary school Clinton in 2003. music specialist and motivational speaker. The Dr. Mary Shy Spelman College gave her its highest honor, the honorary Scott papers, 1981–1996, 1999, are held at the Auburn Avenue degree, during the 2004 Commencement Exercises. In 2012, Research Library. due to Ms. Smith’s example of advocacy and activism and the A Celebration of Life Services was held April 22, 2013, at generosity of her goddaughter and Spelman Board of Trustees Saint Philip A.M.E. Church in Decatur, Georgia. member, Vicki Palmer, Spelman College dedicated the student lounge in the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Residence Hall in the Georgia Maxine Hayes Smith, C’49 name of Maxine Atkins Smith, Class of 1949. The lounge serves October 31, 1929 – April, 26, 2013 as an inspirational living and learning space for the Spelman Georgia Maxine Atkins Smith was born on October 31, 1929, College Social Justice Fellows and to Joseph Atkins and Georgia R. Atkins in Memphis, Tennessee. other student scholars interested After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in changing the world through at age 15, she attended Spelman College and graduated four understanding and addressing years later with class of 1949. She earned her master’s degree social justice issues affecting from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, after being women, children and elders denied admission by the University of Tennessee because of worldwide. her race. Seven years later Ms. Smith A public memorial service and Miriam DeCosta Willis were was held for Ms. Smith on May also denied enrollment at Memphis 4, 2013, at the Metropolitan State University (now the University Baptist Church in Memphis. of Memphis). The women filed a suit against the school in 1957. The first Black students were admitted

Summer 2013 31 In Memoriam

1936 1951 1955 Celestine Davenport Pettrie 1960 Bernice Franklin Elsie Mildred Mallory Smith Died: May 31, 2013 Julia Dixon Died: April 18, 2013 Educator Services: June 8, 2013, Died: December 23, 2012 Services: April 27, 2013, First Died: January 10, 2013 Allen Chapel AME Church, Services: January 12, 2013, Congregational Church, Atlanta, Services: January 18, 2013, Indianapolis Community Church of God, Georgia Washington Chapel A.M.E. Atlanta 1937 Church, Tuskegee Institute, 1952 Alabama Carlene Goudy-Thomas Barbara Ann Charlie Mae Jacqueline Kirby Wills Died: May 28, 2013 Murray Mitchell Died: September 19, 2012 1958 Services: June 3, 2013, Willie A. Died: January 7, 2013 Fannie Handsford Watkins Funeral Home Historic Services: January 15, 2013, Laurine Thomas Educator West End Chapel, Atlanta Zion Grove Baptist Church, Died: October 23, 2012 Died: February 22, 2011 Ellenwood, Georgia Services: October 31, 2012, 1938 Services: February 26, 2011, Springhill Baptist Church, Dorothy Nelle Sanders Greater Macedonia Missionary 1963 Inkster, Michigan Baptist Church, Bainbridge, Died: February 13, 2013 Dorothy Mae Myers Stepteau Georgia Services: March 2, 2013, Educator/Counselor Milwaukee Art Museum, Died: January 18, 2013 Milwaukee Services: January 24, 2013, Greater New Guide Baptist 1940 Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Julia McKinney Glass Educator 1965 Died: December 11, 2012 Yvonne Kyles Hammonds Services: December 17, 2012, Died: January 1, 2013 Wheat Street Baptist Church, Services: January 12, 2013, Atlanta Bethel United Methodist Church, Atlanta Dorothy Nell Eberhardt Neal Birchette 1972 Educator Harriet Adele Ferrell Died: April 4, 2013 Educator Services: April 13, 2013, Liberty Died: October 29, 2012 Baptist Church – Atlanta, Inc., Services: November 3, 2012, Atlanta Wheat Street Baptist Church, Atlanta 1942 Dorothy Carter 1974 Educator/Actress Gwendolyn Glover Baskin Died: September 14, 2012 Died: February 1, 2013 Services: February 9, 2013, Body 1943 of Christ International Church, Georgia Hunter Smith Atlanta Died: March 17, 2013 Services: March 21, 2013, Gospel Nation Christian Fellowship Church, Powder Springs, Georgia

1944 Cleo Ingram Hale Educator Died: May 8, 2013 Services: May 18, 2013, Union Grove Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio Photo: Julie Yarbrough, C’91

32 SPELMAN MESSENGER Knowledge is like a garden. If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested — African Proverb Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Atlanta, Georgia Permit No. 1569 350 Spelman Lane S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30314 www.spelman.edu Photo By Julie Y ar b rough, C’91 Every Woman…Every Year!

Visit www.everywomaneveryyear.org to make a gift or for more information. A Choice to Change the World