Candid Conversations: Wentworth Women -- Part II

Nicole Price continues the conversation, asking the group which women specifically inspire them and if they grew up with Women’s History Month. 

Nicole Price, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: 
When did you all first learn about Women’s History Month? For me, it wasn't something I grew up with. I knew Black History Month. 

Ghislaine Ruiz, Student Success Advisor, Center for Academic Excellence: 
I don't have a distinct memory. I think the fact that I can't come up with anything speaks volumes, because that speaks to how the world acknowledges and celebrates women. Now you scroll on Instagram and see people posting things and you're like, “Oh, okay. I guess it's Women's History Month.” But I don't have a moment where I ever really thought about it or took it in. 

Julie Wong, Associate Director of Learning Designs and Solutions, Learning Information Technology: 
My experience is similar. I wasn't really aware of Women’s History Month until my job at another institution doing programming for a women's leadership center. So, it was literally my job before I knew it existed. It’s a shame that I missed out on learning more about these historical figures in my schools. 

Sandenya Zorokong, Admissions Counselor, Graduate Admissions Programs: 
I had a different experience. I moved to Massachusetts when I was 11. I started middle school here and there was none of that. But I will say that I was really lucky to have been born Ithaca, New York, because although it's not the most diverse place, it is definitely full of feminists and folks who are dedicated to trying to bring out some diversity. Even in fifth grade, the four main teachers I had were women and three of the four were women of color. I was really lucky to have that foundation with those women. It's inspiring to also just be able to say that from pre-K to fifth grade I was able to have that experience of seeing women of color leading my class. 

Ke’Anna Skipwith, Assistant Provost for Advances in Learning: 
My earliest memory of celebrating Women's History Month was in college. I attended an all-women's college, and I remember honoring and recognizing the contributions of women throughout the campus community, especially our founders. It was one of my favorite campus traditions and part of my student experience. 

Yihra Peralta, Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Conduct: 
I went to a liberal arts college and after taking some gender and equity classes and things of that nature, through that experience I became aware that there was even a month where women were celebrated. I would say it goes to show that people don't see it as a big deal or as important as it should be. But hopefully that changes. 

Nicole Price:  
I do wonder how much is changing. I have children in school, and I don't think they mentioned Women's History Month. I'm going to actually ask them tonight, but I don't know if the school system is highlighting it or not. I hope it's changing as it is on the news and we talk about it more. 

Yihra Peralta:  
That's a good question. I have a son and I know that they do things at his preschool for Black History Month, but I didn't hear anything about celebrating women. 

Price asks the group to name women who inspire them. 

Yihra Peralta: 
Michelle Obama and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez are the first two that immediately popped into my head for their leadership and their grace. They’re flawless while doing all of it and always highlight and uplift others.  

Ghislaine Ruiz: 
I also chose Michelle Obama. I read her book and identified with her story so much. I liked how she straddled two different worlds in her upbringing. There is the living in the South Side (of Chicago) and what that means, but also trying to be educated and striving to do your best and not being ashamed of that. That felt so similar to my own story and how you don't ever feel like you belong to any group. She would hear, “Why do you talk like that? Why are you this and why are you that?” I have had those same questions directed at me so many times. Then you are out in the world and at school and you don't fit in there either because you’re too white to be in your community and you're not white enough to be in the white community. I see Michelle Obama as a symbol of hope. Evidence that we can be more. 

Sandenya Zorokong: 
My mom is one of those people. We’ve definitely had a journey. A few years ago, I finally told her that as a white woman, she cannot raise me to be a strong Black woman. It's not going to happen, because we've had completely different experiences going through this world. But being able to even have conversations surrounding race and the fact that she has become so much more sensitive to how people of color feel is inspiring to me. 

Zorokong also admires famed novelist Toni Morrison. 

Sandenya Zorokong: 
I was fortunate in college to be able to take a class that was dedicated entirely to all of her work. What really inspired me is that she created characters who were so complex racially, and then she would use that lens to take us deeper into a story. And I love writing. That's one of my passions. I have a lot of Black female writers that I look up to, but she definitely stands out. 

Wong credits actor, comedian and author Margaret Cho as an influence from her childhood. 

Julie Wong: 
When I was young, there was really no Asian representation on television. But I found a show [“All-American Girl”] about a teenage girl and her family happened to be Asian, but she was just like any other teenager. She opened a door for me and changed my perception of myself.  

Ke'Anna Skipwith: 
I grew up in the inner city and can also relate to Michelle Obama's memoir, Becoming. Her book gave me hope that education is the vehicle that can help people make the best out of their situations. I’m also inspired by Maya Angelou, who has been a significant influence in my life. I felt connected to the words in Still I Rise and Phenomenal Woman. Her words are always profound, powerful and timely. 

Skipwith is particularly moved by Angelou’s quote, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Nicole Price: 
I am a huge fan of Maya Angelou and have been fortunate to have seen her a few times. Her life was not a perfect life—none of ours are—but it shows that perfection is not needed. Her ability to use language to either tell a story or to make a point or to motivate people or to encourage people has always been inspirational. 

Ke'Anna Skipwith:  
This is something I always keep with me. It is the reason for everything I do, and there's a purpose for us all. 

Price also says that she is inspired by her mom. 

Nicole Price: 
My mother sort of walked to her own beat and did things her own way. As I've gotten older, I realized that it was a privilege to experience that because I didn't know being a woman was anything else. I thought that you just do what you're going to do. But as I met other people and they have shared their life stories, I realized that that's not what people experienced or not what they knew a woman could be.