Loyola Co-Hosts Inaugural Young Women of Color Symposium

“I loved the sense of community and the sense of belonging during the symposium,” reflects Monique Robinson ’22, who served on the Student Planning Committee. “The symposium was fun, but planning the event was more fun. Being able to work with other students and create something meaningful was well worth the time and energy required to organize the conference.”

 

Rubana Ghiorghis ’22 also served on the Student Planning Committee. "It's really amazing and inspiring how our event reached the interests of so many young women of color from all over the city, and even in other states,” she says. “The students and adults all connected really easily, especially during the workshops and affinity groups." 

 

A special address from Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot kicked off the weekend’s conversations, which were guided by the theme of “Underrepresented Voices: Speak Out.” Three keynote speakers, each offering a fascinating perspective and valuable insight, were the highlight of the day:

To learn more about each speaker, click here.

 

The symposium proceeded through thought-provoking sessions such as “Social Identity and Privilege,” “Combating Anti-Blackness and Colorism: Finding and Using Your Voice for Change,” “We Wear the Mask: Self-Love & Sisterhood 101” and more. A full program can be viewed here.    

 

School Counselor Rosanna Suh led a session titled “Claim Your Racial Identity: From Trauma to Wholeness.” The discussion explored five stages of racial identity development and the detrimental effects of racial trauma for students of color such as anxiety, depression and isolation. She helped students cultivate new skills, such as mindfulness, to counter the traumatic effects of racism and microaggressions.

 

"The inaugural YWOC hosted by Loyola Academy and Francis Parker was a phenomenal success. Even as a virtual event, the energy and excitement of all participants could not be contained,” says Suh.  “The symposium provided participants the opportunity to identify and affirm their values, intersectional identities and self-worth in a safe and non-judgemental space. For many of the young women attending in person at Loyola, it was a much needed life line after a taxing year due to the pandemic and civil unrest. I attribute the success of this symposium to our amazing student leaders who helped shape and form the symposium alongside our dedicated adult committee members, led by Terri Jackson. The adult committee met weekly for an hour the entire school year leading up to the symposium. I personally look forward to the 2nd YWOC at Loyola in person!" 

 

For months, Assistant Principal for Student Services Terri Jackson worked with the student and adult planning committees to bring this event to fruition, and the end result far exceeded her expectations. “We came together as a group of educators dedicated to creating a space for middle and high schoolers who self-identify as young women of color to feel empowered, to engage in workshops that would help them to understand, embrace, and celebrate their identities, to network and develop a community of people whose racial backgrounds resemble their own, and to become stronger advocates for themselves and others,” she says. “I believe we did just that and so much more. We ignited a fire not only in the students but also in ourselves to continue to work to ensure that all students see themselves and have a sense of belonging in their school environments. I am looking forward to next year's YWOC which will take place on March 5, 2022 on our beautiful campus.”

 

A special thank you to the following for the hard work and preparation needed to make this symposium a success:  

 

Ardyn Chin, Loyola Academy

Aimee Cruz, Loyola Academy

Inés Galiano, Loyola Academy

Rubana Ghiorghis, Loyola Academy

Lelia Griffin, Francis Parker

Olivia Hanley, Francis Parker

Aziza Mabrey-Wakefield, Francis Parker

Monique Robinson, Loyola Academy

Blessed Stephen, Loyola Academy

Asha Wright, Francis Parker

 

Sarah Bennett, Loyola Academy

Marissa Cervantes, Loyola Academy

Berenis Fernandez, Loyola Academy

Terri S. Jackson, Loyola Academy

Alexis Pantoja, Francis Parker

Chris Penna, Loyola Academy

Rolanda Shepard, Francis Parker

Rosanna Suh, Loyola Academy 

 

We are grateful to Blessed Stephen ’22 who designed the conference logo and t-shirts and to event sponsor Spikeball.

 

Learn more at https://www.goramblers.org/conferences and follow the Young Women of Color Symposium on Instagram.