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October, 1987 SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT • Page 3
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beautifully was “Receiving a
new bracelet is no particular
reason to ditch the old one.”
When the speech was
completed the audience once
again jumped to their feet.
This time not spontaneously
but thoughtfully, slowly
accepting the challenge to
accomplish goals and respon
sibilities just presented to
them. The Student Govern
ment Association president,
Angela Glaude then officially
inducted Dr. Cole into the
Spelman sisterhood. But it
was clear that Dr. Cole had
already grasped the intense
emotional committment that
Spelman sisterhood should
entail. As the time
approached to sing the
Spelman hymn sisters
eagerly joined hands and
sang the words with true
conviction. The convocation
ended but a line began on the
stage to hug and thank the
woman who says she is truly
serious about the develop
ment of “our community” and
Spelman women’s contribu
tions to it.
Thank you Dr. Cole and
welcome.
Bringing It Home (continued from p.l)
“Re-orient yourself with the
Sisterhood of Spelman”
Halloween
Happenings
Although many of us no
longer get excited when we go
into Walgreens and see Black
plastic caps, pictures of
orange jack-o-lanterns, and
masks with drops of blood
painted on, the time is upon
us again-Halloween. Tradi
tional Christians do not cele
brate Halloween in the actual
sense of what it is, the cele
bration of the dark or evil
side and its characters.
We celebrate the opportu
nity for receiving or giving
candy and partying.
On October 30, 1987, the
Spelman Student Govern
ment Association and
External Affairs Board will
help community children
enjoy Halloween night by
picking the children up and
taking them around Spel-
man’s campus from dorm to
dorm to collect candy. Delta
Sigma Theta will provide the
candy bags for the children
and the Alpha Kappa Alpha
sorority will have their
annual “Genesis” party.
by Dawne A. Mitchell
During the week of August
22nd through August 29th,
Spelman College experienced
a major transition. The ulti
mate changing of the guard
took place. While Dr. Cole
became our first Black
female president and Angela
Glaude became our Spelman
Student Government Associ
ation president with “A New
Perspective,” the Class of
1991 grew immensely.
Within Spelman we have
realized there is an even
greater claim to fame. Not
only are we a diverse group
of culturally stimulating,
academically talented and
spiritually enriching Black
women but also we at
Spelman are nurtured with a
very unique and intimate
spirit. That spirit is SISTER
HOOD. It is baffling as to
why that fact has become
almost obsolete with upper
classmen. What causes the
sudden forgetfulness of the
vows made your freshmen
week? Don’t you remember?
The vow to uphold the stan
dards of this institution and
live by the motto, “Our Whole
School For Christ.” You dedi
cated you tenure at Spelman
to the essence of Spelman—
excellence, sisterhood and
scholarship. Freshman week
was filled with the “notion” of
sisterhood. Perhaps the term
is unfamiliar, then let me
remind you.
Sisterhood, defined by
Webster’s Dictionary states:
A number of women
belonging to one society. Well
sisters, our definition
extends far past this vague
interpretation. Our sister
hood is more than an under
standing.It is a practical
application. Yes, it began
your freshmen week when
the upperclassmen opened
their hearts to you, the
arriving freshman class. It
continued throughout the
week as you interacted with
Spelmanites in rap sessions,
state rallies, teas, sleepovers
and casual home-girl
acquaintances. Don’t you
remember feeling “Special?”
If you don’t remember, then
you missed the sole purpose
of freshmen orientation
week. I suggest you re-orient
yourself, NOW!
First let me tell you about
our Sisterhood. The following
principles apply: Umoja
(unity); Kujichogulia, (self-
determination); Nia, (pur
pose); Ujima, (collective
work): Ujamaa, (cooperative
economics): and Imani,
(having faith in our sister
hood). Like diamonds, we are
precious, and rare. Like
emeralds, we are trans
parent, yet embody strength.
Like pearls, we are delicate,
soft and full of beauty. We are
a sisterhood which bears
love, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, meekness, good
ness, and temperance.
Sisters, we are—Dynamic,
Diverse and Determined!
Our rich history stretches
over a century, but the most
ritual aspect of our Sister
hood is LOVE! For better or
worse, sisterhood is about
LOVE.
Contrary to many actions,
sisterhood is not gossiping
hen parties, rude departure
in convocation, groupies at
Morehouse or pot heads in
the parking lot,—nor is it
hanging out in Manley
College Center minding
everyone else’s business. It is
about serious minded Black
women preparing to chal
lenge the world. It is Rhodes,
Truman, Marshall, Merrill,
and Mortar Board Scholars.
It is about future engineers,
doctors, lawyers, analysts,
politicians, historians and
scientists. It is about Black
women networking and
succeeding. Perhaps confu
sion has clouded the purpose
of this prestigious
institution.
The benefits our our Sister
hood are apparent. If you
have not realized them yet,
then I challenge you to re
orient yourself with the
“purpose” of Spelman. The
sisterhood is yours, it is what
you make it. It was given to
you with hopes that you
would not disrespect it. The
Essence of our Sisterhood is
LOVE—take heed! I promise
you, life at Spelman will be a
brighter experience. As
stated in prophetic words of
the wise Africans, “Let your
love come like the misty rain,
softly, but flooding the river.”
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