News Briefs

LEADS Hosts Girls Leadership Institute

Annie Whatley, acting director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the Department of Energy obtained a grant making the Third Annual Girls Leadership Institute possible.  “Preparing the next Generation of D.I.V.A.S.,” an acronym meaning disciplined informed, visible, active students, the program was designed for young girls ages 12 and 13. A full day of workshops emphasizing the importance of community services, self-esteem, and public speaking all serve to enhance these young women at a critical stage in their personal and academic development. The event was sponsored by the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement.

Feminist Book Store Features Beverly Guy-Sheftall

In celebration of their 35^th anniversary, Charis Books will present, Founding the Future: A Conversation With Gloria Steinem and Beverly Guy-Sheftall, C’66, the founding director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman and the Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women’s Studies. Feminist scholar and activist Alexis Pauline Gumbs will moderate the Nov. 5 discussion with feminist icons Guy-Sheftall and Gloria Steinem about their places in the history of feminism and the possibilities the future holds.

Professor Arturo Lindsey Designs the Smithsonian’s Latino Award

Arturo Lindsay, D.A., professor of art and art history, was commissioned to design and create the third annual Smithsonian Latino Center Legacy Award. He created the bronze sculpture, “Creencia-Belief,” which represents the spirit that guided awardees in their life’s work. On Oct. 15, the award was bestowed upon five distinguished individuals for their achievement in the arts, sciences and humanities.

LEADS Hosts Women’s Economic Recovery Forum

The Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement sponsored the Economic Recovery: What Women Need to Know forum presented by the Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor on Oct. 14. The event for community-based organizations, job seekers and families featured federal and state agency representatives who shared such useful information as new tax incentives, provisions for health coverage and jobs created. There was also information on gaining access to federal contracts through the economic stimulus bill.

Gladys T. Glass Annual Mathematics Education Symposium Honors 50 Years of Service

Gladys Glass, Ph.D., C’58, professor of mathematics, was celebrated and honored for her 50 years of service to Spelman College on Oct. 29, when the department of mathematics launched the Gladys T. Glass Annual Mathematics Education Symposium. The event brought together math teachers at all levels to discuss the importance of math education, showcased Spelman’s role in increasing the number of teachers and leaders in mathematics education nationwide, and included presentations from Spelman alumnae Josephine Davis, Ph.D., C’64, and Mildred Coats, C’63.

Campus Kitchen Project at Spelman College

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Isis Rose, C’2012, hosted a meeting for students interested in initiating a Campus Kitchen Project at Spelman. A national student-run nonprofit organization, Campus Kitchen focuses on catering to community members who suffer from hunger or food insecurity while establishing strong student leaders. Held in collaboration with the Shepherd Poverty Alliance Program and the Bonner Office for Community Service and Student Development, the project utilizes excess food from campus dining halls, thus reducing food waste.

WRRC Sponsors Feminist of Color Women of Color Conference

In an effort to provide space for women of color to come together and learn about various social justice issues, the Feminist Majority Foundation hosted a Women of Color Conference, Oct. 9 and 10, at Spelman College. Sponsored in collaboration with the Women’s Research and Resource Center and the Spelman College Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, this year’s conference focused on advocacy and activism to create political change.

The Suites Certified as the First HBCU ‘Green’ Residence Hall

The Colleges newest dormitory, The Suites, has received a silver-level certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Suites certification makes it the first of its kind for a residence hall on the campus of an historically Black college or university. “Green” elements of The Suites include the recycling of more than 50 percent of the construction waste; the dorm being 21 percent more energy-efficient than minimum energy code requirements; the availability of covered secure bicycle storage areas and preferred parking spaces environmentally friendly, low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles; and the usage of green housekeeping and pest control to provide the least hazard to people property and the environment.

The College Remembers Former Spelman College Art Department Chair Jenelsie Holloway (1920-2009)

Jenelsie Walden Holloway, C’41, former chair of the art department and associate professor of art, passed away on Oct. 25. The mother of Charnelle Holloway, C’79, an associate professor of art at Spelman, professor Holloway chaired the art departments at Prairie View College and Dillard University before serving Spelman for 38 years. She was involved with the High Museum of Art and was influential in the establishment of the Alma Simmons Gallery at Douglass High School and the Auburn Avenue Research Library. Her own work was honored during Spelman’s 125^th anniversary celebration and are part of the collections at Spelman, Clark Atlanta University, and the Hammonds House.

Community Service Award Convocation Honors Breast Cancer Researcher

Dr. Rogsbert F. Philips, a pioneering physician who remains at the forefront of breast cancer research, was honored with a Community Service Award during convocation on Oct. 29.  As well as performing groundbreaking procedures and taking the breast cancer fight to South Africa and the Soviet Union, Dr. Philips is the founder of Sisters by Choice Inc., a nonprofit organization that began as a breast cancer support group committed to education, counseling and providing emotional support to breast cancer patients and their families.

Spelman Hosts DOT Information Sessions

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization, the Spelman College Entrepreneurial Training and Technical Assistance Women and Girls program will host informational sessions on Saturday Nov., 14, at Spelman and at the National Archives on Saturday, Nov. 21.  Both events are for small, women-owned businesses, disadvantaged business enterprises, and aspiring women entrepreneurs. The program is designed to support President Obama’s Executive Order 13506, which established a White House Council on Women and Girls to provide a coordinated federal response to the challenges confronted by women and girls. The meetings will include overviews of the DOT and its Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, as well as the Spelman College project; an overview of existing opportunities and resources in the transportation industry; and presentations by transportation professionals and executives about securing a contract with DOT or a DOT-related business.

The Winner the October Test Your Spelman Knowledge is….

The winner of the October Test Your Spelman Knowledge contest is Renee E. Turner, C’2007. Ms. Turner correctly identified the name of the fountain on the Oval as The Grover-Werden Memorial Fountain, donated by the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College. “In the years following graduation, I have been amazed at the network of Spelman women around the country,” says. Ms. Turner, a first year Law Student at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. “Each woman I have met has embraced me as her Spelman sister, and helped me on my path by providing access to their networks and resources.  Choosing to attend Spelman College has been the best decision I have made thus far.” Ms. Turner will receive a $20 gift card to the Spelman College Bookstore, which will have a faculty and staff appreciation on Nov. 23 where faculty and staff will receive a 20 percent discount on most items. The bookstore’s buy back will be from Nov. 30 – Dec. 10. For more information, contact store manager Ameerah Muhammad at (404) 523-8520, and visit Spelman College Bookstore.

Test Your Spelman Knowledge and Win!

Spelman has had eight presidents prior to Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum’s appointment.  Amongst the prior presidents only one was an alumna.  Who was the first alumna president and what was the term? Please send your answers to publications@spelman.edu to qualify to win such gifts as tickets to Spelman events, books by Spelman authors and Spelman paraphernalia.