Image: Cred via Isaiah Ireland
Women’s History Month is very special to me; being around strong, persistent and progressive women all the time has not only given me great gratitude, but also more of an understanding of what women go through on a daily basis just to succeed or be seen in life. For example, Jimmy Carter, who was the first president to acknowledge women’s history as Women’s History Week on March 8, 1980, said, “Too often the women were unsung, and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.” The WCU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists is made up of almost entirely beautiful and strong women who make the organization what it is today: Kyanna Randolph as our vice president, Neela Freeman as our secretary, Amija Coleman as our P.R. chair, Justine Koffi as our treasurer, Janiyah West as our multimedia chair, Jazmyne Morgan as our programs coordinator, Felicia Manful as our student government representative and Aaralyn Hunter as our freshman representative. Throughout this semester and last semester, I’ve seen how gifted and multifaceted these women are, bringing their talents to NABJ. All of them have different majors and backgrounds that will help them excel in life beyond WCU. There are also women who are public figures and who fascinate and inspire me as well. Women like SZA, Orion Carloto, Emma Chamberlain, Jennifer Lawrence and Doechii, just to name a few. All of them have reached levels of success by staying true to themselves and never being afraid to defy or deny social norms or what they should do with their careers. So happy Women’s History Month, and may we continue to celebrate and acknowledge all of what women have done for us.