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Page 2 • SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT February, 1988
SGA On The Move
Phase II: A New Insight
by Tara Addison
As an institution, Spelman
has undergone several signif
icant changes in it’s admin
istration. The most
significant changes have
been directed toward
uplifting female leadership
roles. Most recently, the
Spelman community has
become reaquainted with the
values of women leaders. A
leader is one who must be
able to sternly command,
when a situation so dictates,
as well as guide and help give
direction to those without her
insight. The fundamental
values of a true leader are
characteristic of Dawne
Amber Mitchell who has
accepted the challenge of
presiding over the SSGA as
our president.
Preparation is also an
essential tool of development.
By graduating from the Phil-
adelphia High School for
Girls and then matriculating
into Spelman College, Dawne
has meticulously shaped one
of her tools; academics. Also
realizing that there are many
factors that are essential to
the molding of a strong indi
vidual and leader, Dawne
journeyed to Zimbabwe,
Africa on “Crossroads to
Africa.” She did so in order to
learn more about our people,
thus learning more about
herself. Upon arriving in
Zimbabwe, the first sight
that Dawne witnessed was
that of a woman walking
down a dirt path with her
child strapped to her chest,
carrying bundles on her back
and balancing a mattress on
her head. To Dawne this was
symbolic of the Black woman.
The woman who is physically
as well as mentally strong.
These very qualities of
mental and physical strength
are the backbone of the deter
mination that Dawne Amber
Mitchell has vowed to dedi
cate herself toward in leading
the student body with a new
type of creatively and
insight.
When asked of her plans
for the spring semester as
president, Dawne responded
that her primary goal was to
establish effective leadership
as “that which facilitates,
executes and guides the
student body as well as
encourages action, on the
part of the entire student
body, uplifts spirit and exem
plifies that which is sister
hood.” To achieve this, Dawne
has planned a completely
new schedule of activities,
programs, etc. for this
semester. The major
emphasis will be placed on
health, spiritual and cultural
motivation and academic
excellence. This particular
combination is geared specif
ically towards helping to
mold a well-rounded student
through her interaction with
the Student Government.
It is obvious that Dawne is
eager to serve and also work
tirelessly for the student
body. She has assured me
that Spring ’88 will be an
exciting and rewarding
semester for all. However,
this can only be accom
plished if we all bond
together with Dawne in the
spirit of excellence. If this is
done, we can be assured that
with the brilliant new insight
that we have been given in
the form of our new presi
dent, Spring ’88 will prove to
be challenging and enjoyable
semester for all.
Letter
by Darralynn Denise Hutson
To My Spelman sisters,
In working with the
student government associa
tion as an immediate part of
the cabinet, I have realized
the work that goes into
successfully ensuring the
gratification of the student
body. It takes long hours of
consistent work and
consistent prayer. The office
of Co-Social Chairperson is
the nucleus of the cell of
Spelman Student Govern
ment Association and when
that nucleus is not func
tioning properly, it effects the
entire body.
The fall semester of the
1987/1988 academic school
year was a time when the
nucleus of the cell of SSGA
was disfunctional and as a
result of the cell of SSGA did
not successfully please the
student body. A formal
apology would not resolve the
disfunctional problem of this
(con’t on pg. 7)
New Beginnings
by Darralynn Denise Hutson
By doing what needs to be
done right now, we make the
most of each present
moment,
As long as we are alive, we
are always free to begin
again.
Instead of following an old
worn-out habit, make a
fresh start this moment on
the rest of your life.
Each day is a new start.
Each moment is a beginning.
My Spelman sisters, I give
this piece of poetry to you
because along with my new
beginning, I want you to
engage in a new beginning.
Don’t be afraid to change or
accept change. The past is a
guide to your future.
Remember and act upon your
mistakes to correct them.
Most of all, open your hearts
to accept mistakes and
accept changes. God always
gives you a second chance.
Don’t be afraid to take it. Use
1987 as a foundation for 1988
and let your light so shine
before men, so that they may
see your good works. No one
is without fault. You must
first realize that fault and
correct it before there can be
a new beginning.
' THE voice of black womanhood
Editor-in-chief
Kathleen Tait
Associate Editor
Julie Alexander
Staff
Jill Bryant
Kamela Heyward
Thresa Leary
Alisa Purdue
Kori Scurlock
Kathryn Stanley
Roben Triplett
Athena Williams
Photo Editors
Ivor Braden
Kelly Wilson
tlighT
Advertising Managers
Stephenie Howard
Dawn Lewis
Reporters
Toni L. Belin
Wande Dada
Heather Hawes
Kamela Heyward
Jaye Johnson
Dawn A. Mitchell
Susan D. Mitchell
Cheri L. Roberts
Kori Scurlock
Kimberly Walker
Dwayne Williams
Kelly Wilson
“The Spelman Spotlight” is a monthly publication produced by and
for the students of Spelman College. “The Spotlight” office is located
in Manley College Center, lower concourse of Spelman College. Mail
should be addressed to Box 1239, Spelman College, Atlanta,
Georgia, 30314, (404) 525-1743.
Forum Covers Many Topics
by Athena D. Williams
On January 21, 1988
students from the Atlanta
University Center gathered
in Giles, Old Library for a
Spelman Student Govern
ment Association sponsored
forum on monogamy. The
panel consisted of the
members from the 1987-88
Blue & White Court. Mr.
McKinnley Wooten and Ms.
Valerie Davis, Mr. & Ms. Blue
& White headed up the panel
as a heated discussion
encompassed every topic
from “why do men do the
things that they do?” to the
effect of A.I.D.S. on the Black
community.
Many important issues
were touched upon
throughout the forum, such
as: the role of regional differ
ences in the concept of
monogamy how to change a
deceitful man, as well as the
ignorance surrounding the
threat of A.I.D.S. that exists
on our college campuses.
There were many provocative
comments and questions
from the predominantly
female audience directed at
the panel, however the panel
ists handled themselves
gracefully and diplomati
cally. Surprisingly, when Ms.
Davis shared her liberal
views on monogamy, stating
that she found it unneces
sary while in college, many
students in the audience
agreed. It was agreed upon
that college is a time for
exploration, and if a serious
monogamous relationship is
working out successfully
then that is wonderful,
however it is perfectly accept
able to date other people, as
long as the people involved
are in agreement.
The most important issue
touched on during the forum
was honesty. The consensus
agreed that honesty is the
most important ingredient of
a successful relationship or a
complete friendship. The
forum succeeded in bringing
many issues and views to
light, as well as erasing many
misconceptions among
students.