On Monday, February 19th through Wednesday, February 21st, the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Zeta Chapter, hosted Finer Womanhood Week. Throughout the week the ladies put together events that were extended to all students on ‘The Reservation’.
The Organization kicked off Finer Womanhood Week on Monday, February 19th with their “Life After College” event held in the Multipurpose Room in the James L. Bolden Student Union at 5:20 pm – 7:20 pm. The evening consisted of several of the Zetas taking turns giving testimonials about the issues that college students face when entering the work force such as interview tips, resume building, interview attire, etc. Another topic discussed were tips on LSAT (Law School Admission Test) preparation and how to write a personal statement. Some of the speakers at the event were Seniors Torria Powell and Tori Span and Junior Jarrielle Patterson. Miss Senior and Zeta Chapter Vice President Shemesha Martin said, “I think the event was much needed for the student body. From a Senior’s perspective who is pursuing graduate school, it was all skills and tips that an underclassman should get exposed to.”
Day two on Tuesday, February 20th consisted of community service. With the sun shining bright and not a rain cloud in sight the Zetas, students and other Greek organizations such as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Delta Kappa Chapter, participated in Highway Clean Up at 4:00 pm. Everyone met up on the 7-mile road known as ‘The Stretch’ with their neon vest, plastic gloves and trash bags ready to “Keep Mississippi Beautiful”. Ariana Davis, a Freshman Business major from Chicago, Illinois stated, “I really enjoyed helping out with Highway Clean Up. It’s inspirational to see students doing something great in the community that I’m adapting in.”
Finer Womanhood Week concluded with the finale event on Wednesday, February 21st in the J.D. Boyd Library Auditorium at 6:20 pm. “Mirror Mirror. Oh How I Love Me Some Me” was a forum style event that included a mirror exercise. Each participant was given a mirror to write things they did and did not like about themselves. By doing this activity, it empowered young black girls to embrace their imperfections and see through the hand mirror that their beauty was enough and that they didn’t have to meet the standards of “American Beauty.”
Thursday, February 22nd and Friday, February 23rd the Zeta Chapter held their annual sisterhood gathering with members within the Chapter. According to Ayanni Ray, a 20-year-old Junior Biology Pre-Nursing major and member of Zeta Chapter from Chicago, Illinois, “The purpose of Finer Womanhood Week was to give a visual representation of our four sorority principles which are Scholarship, Finer Womanhood, Sisterly Love and Service. Each event had something to do with each principle. Monday’s event represented Scholarship, Tuesday’s event represented Service, Wednesday’s event was about Finer Womanhood and Thursday and Friday was all about Sisterhood.”