As a doctoral student, I worked at Scripps College, a women’s college that is one of the Claremont Colleges. I was hired to be the director of activities and leadership by V. Barbara Bush, then Dean of Students, who said she thought I’d be a good role model for the students.
I laughed. Barbara did not. One of us was either naive or in denial about my influence over others.
Turns out it was me.
Role Model vs. Influencer
I have matured since my employment at Scripps. I recognize and accept that I don’t get to choose to be a role model. The people I interact with will make this decision. But I understand that even when I am not a student’s role model, as a professor, I am in a position of influence. What and how I teach will affect students’ beliefs about the value of their ideas, their capacity to lead, and their willingness to speak up and speak out.
I have had the honor of working at four women’s colleges: Scripps College, Barnard College, Bennett College, and, most recently, Spelman College. For me, teaching at a women’s college evokes a sense of purpose. My mission is to create a space for women who have confidence but haven’t been given the opportunity to express it. I also cultivate an environment for women who want to speak up for themselves and speak out against injustices.
Standing in front of a classroom full of women fills me with euphoria and fear. Students have told me that I was not their role model. They want to be partnered; I have never married. They want children; I chose not to have any. Some of them aren’t interested in pursuing the level of education I have.
I fear being judged negatively for choosing not to marry or have children.
Table 1 shows that nearly 18 percent of Black women with a bachelor’s degree or higher have never been married, and approximately 14 percent reported having no children in the home.*
In the true sense of the word, I am an influencer.
And so are you.
We don’t get a choice about it. We don’t know who is watching us and how they will be influenced by what they see us do.
It has been a tough week – racist-motivated killings and devastation from hurricanes. Many are grieving the loss of loved ones and property. This Labor Day weekend, I ask that you make a special effort to be kind and show empathy.
Table 1. Never Married Women: Race, Ethnicity, Education and Children 
Source: 2021 American Community Survey, Survey Documentation and Analysis
Note: “No kids” includes women with children who no longer live with her.
Young, Gifted, and Black
I want to close by introducing Diamondnia Mack, our new research assistant. Diamondnia is an alumna of the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she earned her B.S. in Economics with a minor in Anthropology. She’s interested in international economics and climate policy, focusing on racial and gender issues. Diamondnia is the founder of The Brown Moon Project, an environmental justice initiative dedicated to examining the socio-economic impact of climate change and policy on Black, Brown, and Indigenous women around the world.
Welcome to WISER, Diamondnia!
Tomorrow, we wrap up our 5th Annual WISER Women Campaign. If you have not done so, please consider donating to support our efforts toward a more inclusive society.
