Today at 3:00 PM in Atlanta, Georgia 500 young, bright, confident women will wear white dresses, nude hosiery and black shoes as they line up to “march through the arch”. They will honor tradition — lining up by class year from front to back, as the old guard leads out the new. Theirs is a sisterhood unbroken by over 130 years of sisterhood. Theirs is the pride and power of being the “first”. The first school in America whose sole purpose and mission was the leadership development and education of black women.
Of course, I am speaking of the distinguished women of Spelman College.
Today is a very special day in the lives of these graduates. They will graduate from one of our nation’s most prestigious colleges, but they will also witness history: America’s first African-American first lady, Michelle Obama will be on hand to deliver the commencement address to the first black female college and to receive an honorary degree. I can tell you that Spelman alumnae, students, parents and faculty are all ecstatic to say the least.
I interviewed at least a dozen alumna and they used words like “thrilled” — “honored” — “speechless” when describing the emotion they feel at the specter of Mrs. Obama coming to Spelman. I spoke with Spelman College President Dr. Beverly Tatum and I asked her what it has been like preparing for such a historic visit. “I have a fabulous staff, so mostly my staff has handled the logistics. We are working with the White House advance team to ensure smooth operations. We are expecting some 10,000 guests for commencement. Our largest ever. So security is paramount.”
Today’s speech by Mrs. Obama is historic, and it is also important. Historic because Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary founded in 1881, was re-named Spelman College for anti-slavery activists in 1884. Important, because Mrs. Obama is beloved by black women everywhere for her example as an ivy-league educated, well accomplished attorney who is also a devoted wife, doting mom, and caring daughter to her own mother.
Mrs. Obama has “it all”. She is the walking embodiment of the modern “American female” success story. She is “the dream” come true. Yet, for many 21st century college educated-upwardly mobile black women, ages 22-44, something seems awry. Black women far surpass their black male counterparts in college graduation rates, and Yale University put out a study in 2009 that said 70 percent of professional black women are unmarried.
In the workplace we also know that the glass ceiling has not quite been shattered by black women, with dismal numbers of us serving in the highest ranks of Fortune 500 Boards/Executives, College Presidencies, Industry, Medicine or Law Firm ranks. And how can any of us escape the daily negativity and stereotyping that goes on in our media and culture from bad sister girl NeNe on Celebrity Apprentice, to TV shows that question “why a successful black woman cannot get a man”.
“It is very disheartening how we as black women are perceived globally. I think people see us as angry, a threat. But that is not who we are. Black women have a special thing — hard to describe — something within us is unstoppable. People often see us as too independent, extra sassy, not nurturing. We were raised to go out and take care of ourselves — we have a spirit of keeping it moving and that turns some people off,” said Dana Gills, Class of 2001, a producer and writer in Los Angeles.
Enter Michelle Obama. Young black women in their 20s and 30s especially look up to Mrs. Obama. She gives them tangible proof and hope that they can beat the odds, be successful, and have a good marriage and family to boot. They adore her, they see themselves in her, and that is what makes today so special for black women and girls everywhere.I had a sit down at the White House with one such young sister, who knows Mrs. Obama very well. Ms. Kristen Jarvis is a Spelman alum and she is also special assistant to the first lady. Kristen is an attractive 30 year old, very warm, and 100 percent devoted to Mrs. Obama. I asked her a series of questions about her unique job.
theGrio: How does it feel to be a young black woman working for and with the first African-American first lady?
Jarvis: I am honored and grateful to work for a woman I admire, and a woman who is a role model for young women like me everywhere. She is a woman that encompasses all the attributes of an intelligent, strong, hard working, woman. She is a devoted mother of two, where mom in chief is her number one priority.
Working for the first lady is such an inspiration. Her words, wisdom, and work-life balance encourages me to do more and be more regardless of circumstance or the color of my skin while recognizing the strength we have as African-American women. Her story relates to so many women across the country: she is the South Side girl from Chicago who overcame adversity; she is the Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate; she is the dedicated mother to her daughters and loving wife to her husband; she is the concerned American who has dedicated her life to service and giving back to communities all around the country through her passions in public health and supporting military families. ‘Giving back’ isn’t just something she does on her off day, she has lived it for most of her life.
How are you and other Spelman-ites feeling about having Michelle Obama come and speak at your alma mater?
Jarvis: People are beside themselves. Even though she didn’t attend Spelman, Mrs. Obama epitomizes the definition of a, “Spelman Woman” and she has an inspirational message to share with the graduating class of 2011. I am confident they too will be inspired by her words of encouragement, her passion, and her commitment to improve the lives of not only black women, but all women. This will be one of the most gratifying and fulfilling experiences of my lifetime and the lifetimes of these young women ready to take on the world.
One White House aide made clear that Mrs. Obama was deliberate in her choice of Spelman among the places she will address for graduation this season, ”[she is going to speak to them about their] shared experiences as African-American women.” Others suggest, however, that in a time where we have a black president and first lady, and when women and students of color can get an education anywhere they like do we still need schools like Spelman?
Georgia State Rep. Alisha Morgan Thomas, and Spelman alum responds, “My first response is black women should be able to go wherever we want-sure. But the difference is that Spelman is an institution that was designed uniquely to prepare black women to be successful in their lives: academically, politically and socially. I don’t live in the world thinking how hard it is to be a black woman; I live in a world of how prepared and qualified I am to do whatever I need to do to succeed as a black woman.”
Spelman President Tatum agrees, “Of course Spelman is still relevant. The fact that there is now diversity in American higher education is a good thing. However, Spelman has a 130 history of preparing black women to be leaders. They will experience something here that they cannot experience elsewhere-this environment was designed with them in mind — our sole mission is their leadership, advancement and success.
At Spelman the environment says ‘you are the women we have been waiting for’. It is an affirming environment. You are trained to succeed no matter what — Spelman prepares you. One of the things we think is fabulous about Mrs. Obama coming — is that it is very validating — it is an affirmation. I would hope and have every expectation that she will leave our students with a sense of possibilities—that we can live life with meaning and contribute — her very presence will radiate that understanding.”
Sophia Nelson is the author of the new book, Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama.
