Lila Gongora
Staff Writer
The Sisters of Essence hosted their second annual Women’s Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday in the Campus Center Ballrooms. The event is designed to highlight and honor the women of ULV who have made an impact in the community through academia, leadership or positivity.
The event began with an opening address from two of the organization members.
Brianna Morris, the organization’s president, and Destiny Tenor, the organization’s secretary and treasurer, spoke as they invited individuals to enjoy dinner catered by Messi Soul Kitchen.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of women who were nominated for these awards, who don’t usually get appreciation like they should, be able to shine and see how the community does appreciate them,” said Morris, a junior chemistry major. “I think it’s important for the community to get involved and show up to events like this because it’s important to highlight women of color who oftentimes are not put on the list.”
The ballroom was draped in pink and gold decor, creating an elegant scene for about 50 La Verne community members, from across programs, who showed up to mingle and celebrate the women of ULV.
During dinner students, faculty and staff got to know one another on a deeper level.
“I knew that community would be forged here and the Sisters of Essence do a great job of incorporating the things that our campus says it cares about,” said Marquisha Frost, associate vice president for inclusive excellence and mission integration. “There’s a shortage of spaces like this, so any opportunity where there is a chance to celebrate women and women of color is vitally important.”
Following the meal, many women received awards for their contributions to change and progress at the University, including Frost. More than 10 awards in total were distributed including the Legacy Award, Sisterhood Award, Resilience Award and Distinguished Advisor Award.
Among those recognized were College of Arts and Sciences Dean Shannon Matthews and Associate Dean Ngoc Bui, along with Director of Student Engagement Cindy Vallejo-Victoria.
Sisters of Essence Vice President Kira Annis, senior biology major; and member Asha Jones, senior psychology major, both were honored.
Awardees were recognized for fostering a sense of community and showing consistent efforts to lift up other women and feminine-presenting people.
“I’m really glad that we framed this event towards understanding what it means to have femininity and live in a world where we feel that we are overlooked, unheard of, or unappreciated,” Annis said. “I wanted to make this event feel like everybody was seen or looked at, even our staff on campus where so many women are overlooked.”
“Receiving this award means so much because it helps me remember that my impact does exceed me in being a residence assistant last year, Psi Chi president this year, and a member of BSU and the Sisters of Essence,” said Jones, who received the Legacy Award. “I forget how much I interact with people on a day-to-day basis and how meaningful I can be to them.”
The event concluded with a group picture including all the people who attended the dinner.
Lila Gongora can be reached at lila.gongora@laverne.edu.
Lila Gongora is a sophomore communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is the LV Life editor for the Campus Times and previously served as a staff writer.
