Anyssa McMillan joined 50 other women in writing hurtful preconceptions and labels commonly associated with their identities on large sheets of paper. Then, in a symbolic act of breaking away from stereotypes that plague their identities, they collectively tore each strip of paper into miniscule, meaningless shreds.
The women, representing African-American, Latina, Asian, Native American and Multiracial (ALANAM) backgrounds, gathered in Elon University’s Oaks 212 Saturday with one shared goal: to inspire, empower and motivate.
ALANAM Women’s Institute, a conference seeking to provide a space for women to celebrate their common thread of diversity, was previously recognized as Women of Color Institute.
But the phrase “women of color,” did not fall well with many students who felt isolated by the terminology. In alignment with the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity’s (CREDE) goal to broaden the spectrum of diversity in its programming, the name was changed to ALANAM earlier this year.
“We recognized that some students, particularly international students, didn’t necessarily identify with the term ‘women of color,’” said Jamie Butler, assistant director for CREDE. “So we wanted to support CREDE’s mission to advocate for ALANAM students as it is the terminology that we, as a center, have decided to encourage.”
A variety of speakers, including keynote speakers Brenna Humphries, ‘13, and Rhonda Butler, instructor in management, created a platform for students to engage in meaningful dialogue, create connections and celebrate difference.
Carla Fullwood, associate director for CREDE, and Amy Johnson, assistant professor of history, also led workshop sessions during the day.
McMillan said the most rewarding aspect of the event was that it allowed minority women to unite in conversation.
“It is crucial for women of all minority groups to stand in solidarity and support each other,” McMillan said. “Historically, even now in the present, different racial groups are negatively stereotyped and oppressed by society. It is time to be unified and lift each other up with the purpose to help each other strive and flourish as women.”
Senior Danelia Dwyer, the student coordinator of the event, led a planning committee with other CREDE student leaders to organize the event.
“One of my personal highlights was learning how amazing and relatable women on campus are,” said senior Daneilia Dwyer. “People shared their personal insights and stories, and it was an amazing space for laughter, shared experience and growth.”
She stressed that the purpose of the event was not as much to stand in solidarity but to celebrate common experiences in life, culture and womanhood — peer-to-peer, teacher-to-teacher and friend-to-friend.
According to Butler, CREDE will continue working with ALANAM to provide more programming opportunities including town hall meetings and collaborations with other organizations such as LASO, SPARKS and Sisterhood Circles to create a shared, safe network for students who identify as ALANAM.
“The main value of this working group is that it will offer a sense of community and unity,” Butler said. “But also that it serves as a platform to promote diversity education to the larger campus.”