Sisterhood Newsletter Volume 1 (July 2020)

Sisterhood kenyon

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER vol 1 • july 2020 • issue 1

ALUMNA HIGHLIGHTS

SHANNON PAIGE ‘20

LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT To Our Dear Alumni, we work to create a network of support.

Greetings and welcome to the first edition of our Continually, it is imperative for us to address brand new Sisterhood Alumni Newsletter! the death of George Floyd and subsequent social As many of you know, Sisterhood is an organizamovements. While the creation of this newsletter was tion dedicated to unifying femme identifying students conceptualized before it all took place, the very issues of color on Kenyon’s campus. We are devoted to we see come alive in the public conscience today amplifying marginalized voices at this institution so have been things that people of color have been that everyone receives the quality of education that fighting against for centuries. The undue strain that they deserve. has been placed on Black Americans, and specifically The 2020-2021 Executive Board has decided to Black Womxn, from systemic racism is completely start a monthly newsletter to share with our alumni unacceptable. Sisterhood has always dedicated itself in order to create a strong network between past and to fighting for racial and gender equality, and we are present doing what we can to sisters. We push back on higher Sisterhood has always dedicated want to education institutions be able to like Kenyon that still itself to fighting for racial and highlight take advantage of and the devalue womxn of gender equality. achievecolor while putting ments of up a facade of racial our alum, as well as our current students, so that we diversity. In this coming year, it will be more importcan all be up to date with our community. ant than ever to come together as a community and In upcoming issues we want to keep you informed uplift the voices that have been trampled for so long. on what’s happening on campus and what future The painful effects of Covid-19 and racial tensions plans we have as an organization. Since this is our will inevitably make this year tougher in many ways, first issue we’ll keep it brief, but be on the lookout for but here at Sisterhood, we don’t back down from a future newsletters with more news and information! fight. We hope to have your support so that the place We are excited to share our future with you and hope we all called home, even if just for a little while, will that you will reach out! continue to be an environment that deserves our Sisterhood has grown throughout the years to be a presence and our enrichment. We look forward to substantial organization on Kenyon’s campus and we sharing more with you soon. want to keep that growth and momentum going, but we can only do that through your support! We want With Love, this newsletter to be an opportunity for us to reach Vineeta Chauhan, President out and connect with our sisters who have left their Cherish Banks, Vice President legacy at Kenyon. Moreover, we want to hear from & you about the future direction of our organization, Sisterhood xx and for you all to know that your voice still matters as

Pronouns: She/her Majors: International Studies and Arabic Hometown: Geneva, Switzerland “Having just graduated, I’m indulging in a planfree summer before starting peacebuilding policy work in D.C. as a Scoville fellow. Having this moment of unstructured time after the pressures and rush of Kenyon has been an unexpected chance to rediscover old passions. So far, that has mostly involved hours of reading, long, rambling phone calls and walks in the woods by my house. As the country revolts in the face of never-ending injustice, I am grateful to have the time to try and hold this government accountable.

At Kenyon, through my involvement in a variety of groups including BSU, SoCA, the Cas, and especially among the members of Sisterhood, I found community and solace. Older students in those organizations taught me how to advocate for myself and others, a skill I hope to continue using to empower womxn worldwide.”

RITA CARMONA ‘19 Pronouns: She/her Major: Anthropology Hometown: Lincolnwood, IL (just outside Chicago) “After graduating last May, I spent time in Costa Rica with my family. It was much needed time in the kitchen and at the beach. I’ve had multiple paid and unpaid experiences since graduating and since my time there. I worked with a non-profit called El Valor that works with people with developmental disabil-

student spotlights

ities, interned with Kartemquin films and started my own documentary, and completed a 200hour yoga teacher training. In addition to that, I am now full time with I Grow Chicago, a non profit based in Englewood that strives for community empowerment and racial justice. I feel beyond blessed to be at the job I’m at and to be doing something I truly love.

My position title is the Development and Cultural Activism Coordinator. I strive to build relationships in the community we serve and the community we build around the city. It often feels like a dream, but I know that I worked hard to get here. Graduating is hard but so was Kenyon. I have learned so much from being at Kenyon, met so many beautiful souls, and I have grown so much since graduating, finding more beauty in my own. I wish I had truly realized earlier that everything about life is pretty hard, and I am 100% capable of handling it. All of us are. And in moments when we feel we are not, the people we love and the relationships we create will help us get through it. Everything is hard, but that’s ok. We can do this, and I know it, because of the simple fact that we already are.”

CAMISHA JAMES ‘18

HIGHLIGHTING CURRENT MEMBERS OF SISTERHOOD First up, we have Felecia Hamilton ‘22 (she/her/hers), immediately transitioning to preseason with my predominantly white field hockey team, I realized how an American Studies major who hails from Shaker important it would be for me to find a group where I Heights, OH. feel safe existing as a Black woman on campus. While I decided to major in American Studies because I was able to freely express and celebrate my womanthe flexibility of the department allows me to choose hood with my team, I was still the only Black player, a path centered on Education and Race. leaving On me to feel campus, I realized how important it would be isolated at other than for me to find a group where I feel safe times. So, Sisterhood, Friday I am a existing as a Black woman on campus. after practices, I member decided I of Social would make the trek all the way up the KAC hill and Board, BSU, an up & coming A cappella group on across campus to Weaver Cottage where Sisterhood campus for people of color called POCappella, the field hockey team AND I’M STARTING A NEW CLUB!!! welcomed my Blackness as well. I joined Sisterhood because I feel that it is one out of the few spaces on It’s called MAK and it stands for Minority Athletes of campus that not only allows me, but encourages me Kenyon (shameless plug). to fully and freely express all parts of my identity.

After being introduced to Kenyon’s campus through KEEP, and then, after just two weeks,

Pronouns: She/her/hers Major: Modern Languages and Asian Studies Hometown: Denton, Texas “Life since leaving Kenyon has been interesting and exciting! I spent my first post-grad year working as an English Teacher in Fuzhou, China. My experience in China was full of ups and downs. I had to figure out to be an adult outside of the “Kenyon Bubble”, and learn how to be a good educator all while navigating being a Black woman in a foreign country. Despite all of the challenges I faced daily I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

After almost a year of teaching in China, I decided that I wanted an opportunity to work with students in the US, so I accepted a position as an Americorps Student Success coach at City Year Dallas. I worked alongside an amazing teacher in a third-grade reading classroom. As of May 2020, I completed my year of service and I have accepted a full time teaching position at an elementary school in Dallas. I am excited to see what my first year as a teacher in an American classroom will look like! One of my goals is to implement a language-learning afterschool program that can hopefully become a part of the curriculum someday.”

student spotlights JASMINE WILSON ‘19 Pronouns: She/her/hers Major: American Studies Hometown: Cleveland, OH “Upon graduating, I moved to Indiana for about 6 weeks but found that so wasn’t being fulfilled so I quit my job and moved back home. ( Yes, it’s okay to realize you want something different than you originally thought! Take risks!) I am currently working in the programming department at a small-ish education-based and community serving non-profit in Cleveland. I mentor and provide academic and social-emotional programming for middle-schoolers.

Post-grad life has been challenging but also a lot of fun! To make up for some of the clubs I missed at Kenyon, I recently started a virtual book club (people are still welcome to join!).”

HIGHLIGHTING CURRENT MEMBERS OF SISTERHOOD the most supportive and nurturing spaces on campus, Next, we have Alexandra Nicole Gulden ‘21 (she/ and where I’ve been lucky to meet some of my closest her/hers), an International Studies major from New friends. There’s a lot of uncertainty right now about Orleans, LA. what Like most Kenthis next yon students, I’m Little did I know that Sisterhood semester involved in a lot of different things: I would end up being one of the most at Kenyon will look currently teach as a supportive and nurturing spaces like, but Spanish AT, edit for at the very the Kenyon Review on campus. least I as an Associate, know that design for student I can still look forward to our conversations after a publications, and will co-head Adelante as president long week. this fall. I originally joined Sisterhood because I thought it would be a good way to meet new people.

Little did I know that it would end up being one of

Hearing from our alum is extremely rewarding. We want to be able to catch up with what you’re doing in the world. Make sure to reach out to us at sisterhood@kenyon.edu to be featured!

FUTURE EVENTS We have a lot of fun events planned for the school year! Coming back to campus in the midst of a pandemic may change the way we would traditionally connect with each other, but we plan to work around these obstacles to ensure a safe, healthy, enjoyable year, nonetheless.

• • • • • •

Our First Official Meeting!

Femme Monologues Professional Women of Color at Kenyon (PWOCK) and Sisterhood Meet and Greet Big Sis-Little Sis Mentorship Reveal Circle of Voices/Femme Open Mic Night Sisterhood Friendsgiving

student spotlights

CURRENT EVENTS

Photo by Ella Musher-Eizenman

Juneteenth As many of us know, Juneteenth is a celebration of June 19th, 1865, when the last slaves in Texas were finally informed of their liberation. Sisterhood honors this day, as well as our BIPOC members who are descendants of this bloodline. We also recognize that the same system that took two years past the Emancipation Proclamation to grant people their liberty is not too different to the one we’re living in today, and that there is a lot of hard work ahead of us to make sure ALL of our sisters can enjoy the civil liberties they deserve. We honor this day not only as a celebration of our existence, but also as a reminder that we must stand up as a community to fight the injustices that plague black women throughout the nation. Sisterhood has, and always will be, dedicated to you.

HIGHLIGHTING CURRENT MEMBERS OF SISTERHOOD the executive board of PEKK, a volunteer organization Finally, we have Michelle Lin ‘23 (she/her/hers), who that partners with schools in Knox County. is majoring in English and Modern Languages and I decided to join Sisterhood because the first Literature (French) with a concentration in Creative meeting made me feel seen as a nuanced person. I Writing. Her favorite course taken at Kenyon is felt tokeSecrets, nized in Mysteries, & I decided to join Sisterhood because my white Fake News in the first meeting made me feel seen as friend Francophone groups, Literature. a nuanced person. and that It’s my whenever biggest I described my experiences it was the be-all-end-all aspiration to become a writer and an editor so I of all WOC. Through Sisterhood, I met many WOC do mostly that on campus. I’m an associate for the with shared experiences and but also celebrated the Kenyon Review. In terms of other affinity groups. I’m co-President of Kenyon Asian Identities. Lastly, I’m on complexities of all our different experiences.

COMING SOON: SISTERHOOD WISHLIST Supporting Sisterhood can look many ways. In future issues, we plan to set up a wish list to provide funding for events, micro-grants for members who would like to live in our North Campus Division Housing but may not be able to afford it, and other ways to stand financially independent in the event that Kenyon does not provide funding.

It’s important to us that we can put on the kind of events Sisterhood members want to see and participate in, and if you are capable of financially

contributing in any way, we guarantee your funds will be put to good use. We thank you in advance for any support, and once again you can reach out to us at sisterhood@kenyon.edu with any questions.

In the meantime, look out for our merch store that we plan to launch within the next month or two! We will be selling clothing and accessories to spread the Sisterhood love!

Pride Happy Pride Month from Sisterhood! As Pride Month winds down, we strive to recognize the achievements of our LGBTQI+ sisters and the many ways in which they make our campus a better place.

It’s important that we remember and support all our members everyday, because they make us who we are. Would you be willing to share your #pride story with us? Email us at sisterhood@kenyon.edu if you’d like us to highlight your story!

Kenyon Kenyon College will open up campus once again for classes starting August 24th, running uninterrupted classes for 14 weeks until Tuesday, November 24th, with an extended winter break. Finals will be conducted remotely after the period of Thanksgiving is over.

Plans for the Spring semester are still undecided, but if it is held in a similar fashion to the Fall semester, it will begin on February 4th and run uninterrupted for 14 weeks until commencement. It is unclear how clubs will be able to operate, but we will work in accordance with new rules and try to maintain a classic Sisterhood experience.

2020-21 SISTERHOOD EXECUTIVE BOARD

Our vice president, Cherish Banks ‘22 (she/her/hers), is an American Studies major with a Spanish minor who hails from Chicago, IL. “I am absolutely thrilled to serve as the VP for Sisterhood this year! Out of all of the groups I’ve been a part of, Sisterhood has brought me the most joy and I’ve built lifelong best friendships because of it. It’s wonderful to find a group of people to confide in that are just like you and I want to ensure that women of color at Kenyon will always get to experience how beautiful Sisterhood is. Outside of my position as vice president, I also act as the treasurer for the Black Student Union, a Diversity Advisor and a member of Social Board and I’m also a KEEP Scholar. I’m really excited to keep you all updated about Sisterhood and help to build a tight knit network from Kenyon and beyond. :)”

Our treasurer, Jules Montoya ‘22 (she/her/hers) is an American Studies and Studio Art double major with a concentration in Latinx Studies from Takoma Park, MD. “I am so excited to be the treasurer this school year! Eternally grateful for spaces like Sisterhood.

Aside from handling the monies, I am involved with Kenyon’s music venue, The Horn Gallery, by helping book artists and attending shows. Other things on campus that I do include working at the Bolton Theatre box office, having my own radio show on WKCO, mentoring as a part of Kenyon’s REACH program, and studying as a KEEP scholar. I enjoy listening to music, making stuff, and writing poems sometimes. I am currently learning how to skateboard! I love ladybugs:)”

Our president, Vineeta Chauhan ‘21 (she/her/hers), is a psychology major with a history minor and a concentration in Asian Studies who hails from Buffalo, NY.

Being a part of Sisterhood was the first time in my life that I was allowed the space to proudly express my cultural identity.

I want to work to make sure that this space is preserved and amplified on Kenyon’s campus.

“I am unbelievably excited to serve as President of Sisterhood for the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year at Kenyon. Being a part of Sisterhood was the first time in my life that I was allowed the space to openly and proudly express my cultural identity, and I want to work to make sure that this space is preserved and amplified on Kenyon’s campus.

Despite the difficult year we have ahead of us with limitations due to coronavirus, we are determined to bring Sisterhood through stronger than ever. Apart from being involved with Sisterhood, I work at the Career Development Office at Kenyon as their Lead CDO Assistant, and I am a Senior Honors candidate for the department of Psychology. I hope through this newsletter that we can maintain a strong Sisterhood community and continue to celebrate our diverse identities as womxn of color!”

Our secretary, Mari Holben ‘22 (she/her/hers) is a double major in Women’s and Gender Studies and Modern Languages and Literatures (Chinese) who hails from Girard, PA. “On campus besides being part of Sisterhood, I am also co-president of Kenyon Asian Identities, and a Mandarin AT. Being a member of both of these amazing organizations has greatly shaped my Kenyon experience. I grew up in a small rural conservative town where my identity as a Chinese American adoptee was something I was taught to be ashamed of. Coming to Kenyon and finding communities in which diverse identities are celebrated has allowed me to flourish and I will forever be grateful. I am also part of Kenyon’s Cross Country and Track team and swim club.”

Photo by Ella Musher-Eizenman

Our social media chair, Valeria Garcia-Pozo ‘23 (she/ her/hers) is an English and Spanish double major from Athens, GA. “Apart from managing Sisterhood’s social media, I’m the vice president of FiGLI, our low-income/ first-gen student group here on campus. I teach Spanish as an AT and am a member of Alpha Sigma Tau. I’m so happy to be part of a space on campus that allows women of color to thrive and encourages support among them. Sisterhood has been crucial in connecting me to my identity as a Latina, especially by introducing me to classes in Spanish literature that allow me to learn about my culture. Some of my passions and hobbies include musical theater, graphic design, painting, and camp counseling kids.”