Local University speaks on International Women’s Day
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – March 8 marks International Women’s Day- a holiday celebrated annually as a focal point in the women’s rights movement that acknowledges the contributions of female leaders worldwide. Well, a local University leader says despite the successes, women still have a long way to go.
Making History
Latoya Jenkins is the first woman to hold the position of Vice President of Enrollment and Student Experience at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in its 139-year history. “Men have dominated higher education administration for years, and being a woman here, means that I get to show leadership in a different way, that is just as effective as the male leaders who have sat in this seat.”
Pepper in a sea of Salt
She says often times women are overlooked for positions of power, and as a black woman, she has a slightly different struggle in corporate America. “I found myself being sometimes the only one and being the one who represents the journey. And as an African American woman I recognize that our journeys are not monolithic, they all come from different paths.”
Seat at the Table
Women weren’t allowed to vote until the 1920s, meaning they couldn’t take their own future into their hands. UMES President Dr. Heidi Anderson is proof women have what it takes to lead says Jenkins, but that women can aim even higher, and it’s time they be given a seat at every table.
“We still have strides to make when we talk about women earning power and positions- even top national positions like the area of presidency where women have not had seats at the table.”
“We be, what we can See”
Until then, Jenkins says she will continue to open doors for the future generation of women to walk through. “Leaders like Sojourner Truth who talk about the importance of team and working together to accomplish goals ring a bell in my mind… Congresswoman Maxine Waters who continue to challenge legislation for all people… that’s the women I’ve seen fighting for us.”
The UMES women’s day luncheon will be held on March 27th for women leader on campus and the wider community and invite all women to join them at 11 am in the Student Service Center on campus.
