Shades of Ebony

03/26/2018

Shoutout to Helena for writing this article about our Women’s Week dinner for this year ! If you weren’t there, you really missed out 😉
💜

http://www.hercampus.com/school/notre-dame/nevertheless-she-persisted

HerCampus.com is the #1 global community for college women, written entirely by the nation’s top college journalists from 300+ campus chapters around the world.

03/21/2018

Hey y’all !

Hope to see y’all at Cafemme tonight ! It’s at the Hagerty Café in Duncan Student Center starting at 8 pm . Be sure to come out && see some amazing performances by some of our most talented students here on campus ☺️

03/19/2018

Hello everyone ! It’s that time of the year !

We’re kicking off Women’s Week 2018 w/ a day of outreach, so come by the student tables across from Modern Cafe at the Duncan Student Center, from 11 to 1, to get a laptop sticker w/ our theme of this week, Nevertheless She Persisted, and to get more information about the rest of the week ! Stickers are in limited quality, so get there as early as you can !

If you can’t make it, the poster will be here to give information on the rest of the week . Hope to see y’all !

03/11/2018

In honor of International Women's Day, Shades of Ebony would like to officially announce the Women's Week events. This year's theme is Nevertheless She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination. Help us celebrate women by coming out to the events. Can't wait to see you guys

03/30/2017

Jetaun Davis 💜💜💜
Q: What do you think is the most important thing to know as a woman?
A: I think the most important thing to know as a woman is your worth. It’s independent of your external accomplishments but completely dependent upon how you feel about yourself as a person. The concept of self-worth can be confusing for those who are leery of being selfish. But self-worth is much simpler than we think. Take notice of how you talk to yourself. Even if your words are encouraging, how are you talking to yourself? Are you motivating or berating? Take notice of how you treat yourself. Do you say yes when you really need to say no? I’m still learning this myself, but I’ve come to believe that it’s the most important thing for women to know.

03/28/2017

Women's Week 2017 has commenced! Get excited!!!!

03/24/2017

March 23rd: Amber Lala Bryan
Q: How have your travels shaped the woman you are today? What have you gained form seeing so much of the world?
A: Traveling has taught me to budget so that I can experience as much as possible. After getting lost in many cities, it has made me more confident and resourceful. I've learned the importance of breaking stereotypes by being a black woman who travels and to get out of my comfort zone by trying new foods and speaking new languages. Traveling has taught me that relationships matter more than materialistic things. The happiest people I've met have close to nothing of monetary value but will put you first before themselves. Traveling also has caused me to appreciate my hometown more (MEMPHIS!) but I always look forward to my next adventure.

Thanks for your answer Amber! It is so important that we travel and see different ways of life

03/22/2017

Candace Diana Ashley Thomas 💜👑
Q: If you could have a conversation with any woman, who would it be?
A: I would love to have another conversation with my grandmother. She lived to be 90 years old. My Grandma grew up during the Great Depression, saw all her brothers drafted into the military during World War II, and lived to see the hard work of the Civil Rights Movement pay off. She only received a 6th-grade education, but she was so smart and so wise.

She passed away while I was studying abroad in France and I couldn't afford to go to her funeral. My last conversation with her was the day before I left for the airport. It never crossed my mind it would be my last time saying good-bye. I realize I took her time on Earth for granted. As Commencement approaches, I constantly think about how proud she would have been. I miss her every day and I would give anything to have just one more conversation with her.

Thank you Candace for sharing! We can tell your grandmother was a beautiful and powerful human being.

03/22/2017

March 21st: Cayla Andrews🌹🌻
Q: What has been the most meaningful experience at ND so far and why?
A: "I think Frosh-O was one of the most meaningful experiences I had on this campus. I believe it had a huge role in shaping my passions at this University and in life. I remember getting to campus and feeling so excited about my new journey. As a black woman, I quickly saw that there were very few spaces for us to feel comfortable in this world. It drove me to want to create that space and to strive harder so that young black women would come to this campus and never feel that absence that I have felt. I also want to make sure that brown people have a safe space wherever they go. This drive, fostered out of a place of darkness, has allowed me to meet some awesome people and have some of the best times of my life."

03/19/2017

MacKenzie Isaac 💜
Q: What has been your experience as a black woman at Notre Dame? How have you struggled? How have you thrived?
A: As a black woman on Notre Dame's campus, I've frequently had to remind myself that I do not need anyone else's validation, and I am not here to prove anything to anyone. It has been difficult, but I must be unapologetically me and realize the weight of my voice on such a homogenous campus. I believe that God placed me on Notre Dame's campus for a specific reason: to make the road a little bit smoother for all the black girls who will call this campus their home after me. Being silent or becoming complacent is to take this opportunity for granted - to suggest that the status quo is acceptable to me when it's not. And although I am here first and foremost as a student, I must also be a teacher. By simply being present and engaged on campus, I know that I can expose many of my peers to a reality beyond the privileged, convenient one that has been presented to them their entire lives. All of our lives are interwoven with that of our neighbor, and especially in light of recent events, it is imperative that NO ONE gets left behind or forgotten. And as a black woman who, historically, has been neglected, it is both an honor and a responsibility to extend my empathy to the students who have now been threatened and marginalized by the current administration. If even one of us is unable to move forward, then none of us move forward. It's all or nothing, and the mutual support and solidarity among the black women (and men) on campus has made me value and appreciate this mindset even more.

03/19/2017

March 18th: Aluel Doldol ❤️🌻
Q: How have your childhood/past experiences influenced you to become the woman you are today?
A: "I was born in Sudan and lived in a refugee camp in Kenya for a good amount of time. Then I moved to the US. Because of this I see the entire world as my community. Everything I want to do has to do with helping people. I'm actively tying to help people understand refugees, immigrants, people who are simply different from them. This is because the current administration is trying to convince people that refugees, immigrants and anyone who is different is dangerous. Of course that is not true. These groups are the most at risk of having hatred being directed at them, in any given society. I will always preach about how people are simply good. This is because I have seen first hand the bad things people do when they lack belief in the humanity of other people."

03/15/2017

March 15th: Brittani West ☀️🎀
Q: Tell us about a time when you felt empowered.
A: "When I was elected captain of my high school volleyball team I was excited. For me, captain didn't mean being in charge- it meant empowering the girls on the team. I had the chance to help my teammates become better players on the court. I also encouraged them to work hard, both in practice and in the classroom. The more I helped the girls work towards their goals, the more they trusted and supported me. Whether it's being team captain or a store manager, empowering others sometimes empowers you too."

03/15/2017

March 14th: Jewel Malonza 💜
Q: Who is a woman that exemplifies what it means to be a Woman of ND?
A: If you had asked me this question my freshman year, the person I would have chosen would be very different from that whom I've chosen today. Given the sociopolitical climate today, my definition of a woman of ND is that who defies the norms, and utilizes the education and experiences provided at ND to speak out against the structural violences the marginalized faced today. Xitlaly Estrada has been a friend of mine since crossing paths with her while working at Starbucks, and ever since then, her voice resonates with me as one that is here to ensure that our campus is progressive in race, gender, political and a number of other relations. From Facebook posts to organizing rallies, despite constant backlash, her resilience is incredibly admirable and encapsulates what a woman of ND looks like. Proud of you, Xitlaly.
Thanks Jewel! Shades agrees. Xitlaly is truly an inspiration and such an integral part of making this campus better for everyone who attends💜

03/14/2017

March 13th: Arielle Tyus
Q: Who is a women from history that you admire and why?
A: A woman I admire from history is Madam C.J. Walker. As a pioneer within the beauty industry for African American women, Madam C.J. Walker’s success serves as an inspiration for African American entrepreneurs to create beauty brands to cater specifically to African Americans and thrive in doing so. As a lover of the beauty industry it makes me proud to be able to support more black owned beauty businesses that Madam C.J. Walker's innovation paved the way for. 💜

Thanks for your response Arielle! All of the women of Shades can look to Madam C.J. Walker's accomplishments and see how she has forever change the hair industry. It's a blessing to have products and tools for our hair. Hopefully her efforts will continue to inspire more black (women) to create more black owned businesses!

03/13/2017

March 12th: Shelene Baiyee💐🌺
Q: Have you ever faced adversity as a female athlete at Notre Dame?
A: "This is currently my schedule: class, practice, homework/study, sleep and repeat. I see a lot of people in passing, however, I mainly talk to my teammates, friends from my dorm and classes. I think Notre Dame does a sufficient job of celebrating all females. We just had body awareness week, which I thought was something special. There is actually awareness on our campus. So, I wouldn't say that I have experienced adversity as a female athlete at Notre Dame. As for being an African American Student Athlete... umm here it gets a litter tricky. Even though I'm one of two on my team, color isn't made a barrier. My teamates and coaches treat me no different than any other teammate. I was blessed with a coach staff who see beyond the color of my skin, I'm just another, another girl, willing to move a boat across the St. Josephs River. Outside of my team sometimes it's hard. Walking around campus sometimes your automatically assumed to be an athlete. When they ask, it's hard because you often don't know if someone is genuinely curious or judging you based in the color of your skin."