Purpose
The purpose of Women of Color is to educate, uplift, and unite minority women on the University of Illinois campus and in the Champaign- Urbana community.
History
In 1989, Colette Cummings and Frances D. Graham, two Resident Directors at the University of Illinois decided that a program was definitely needed to highlight African American women. They believed that this program should recognize the achievement and the needs of black women on campus as well as in the surrounding community. Thus, these dynamic women assembled a core of African American women, enrolled at the University, to serve as the committee.
Colette and Frances organized a one-day conference in which professional women of color from the community and the University presented sessions to approximately 35 undergraduate African American women. These initial sessions dealt with topics such as leadership, resources, and life after college. Over the past eighteen years, the conference has grown from a one-day conference with approximately 50 participants to a three-day conference involving approximately 250 participants. We have hosted many influential speakers, among which include: Suzanne Taylor, Bev Smith, B.B. Campbell-Moore, Safisha Madhabuti, and Dr. Mae Jemison just to name a few.
Now, Women of Color not only holds an annual conference, but has transformed into an organization that reaches out to the campus and the community through monthly programs, social events, and community service. Women of Color strives, as Colette and Frances did, to educate, uplift, and unite minority women. |
