By Jaime Alcaparras
Susan Rhodes, a university employee for the last 28 years, was named the Unsung Shero at the “2007 Women of Color Transformation Tea” event last Thursday.
“Susan has been very active for many years in our university community and in the community at large making a difference in the lives of U of L students, faculty and staff,” a colleague stated in Rhodes’ nomination form.
Rhodes is the Administrative Service Manager for the Office of the Vice President for External Affairs. She accepted her award-a large painted picture called, “Fruits of Labor”-graciously with a smile fixed across her face as the crowd loudly applauded.
According to the University of Louisville’s diversity Web page, the award is presented annually to a female university employee of color who is making an impact in the lives of other women at the university or in the community.
Six other African American females were nominated for the award: Tomarra Adams, Ph.D., Anita Harris, Ph.D., Brenda Hart, M.A., Tawana Oliver McWhorter, M.Ed. and Alona Pack, M.A. BSN, RN.
“There are a lot of women of color who have done significant things and were not adequately recognized as they should have been. The Transformation Tea gives us an opportunity to do just that,” said Yolanda Demareem, co-chair of the 2007 Women of Color Transformation Tea event.
The Selection Committee based their decision on three letters of recommendation and an application.
Beyond recognizing women who have made a positive influence on the lives of other women, co-chair Diane Whitlock said the tea event that started in 1997, is a networking tool.
“The purpose of the Transformation Tea is a way to provide women of color and their allies an opportunity to share concerns, issues and positive suggestions. This is a special effort for women of color to build relationships which will hopefully develop into lasting friendships and mentoring opportunities,” she said.
Joining the four panelists and the nominees were the Provost of U of L Shirley Willihnganz, the Vice-Provost of U of L Mordean Taylor-Archer and a full room of attendees.
They enjoyed heavy hors’ d’oeuvres accompanied by tea in Masterson’s Falcon room.
Willihnganz and Taylor-Archer shared speeches regarding community service, the theme this year. It is a change from previous years’ topics such as self-care, health and personal advancement.
After the event, Travanti Waller, a sophomore psychology major and member of Student African American Brotherhood said, “This is a great display of sisterhood, to come together in a professional manner.”
He added that it was a milestone to see where women have come from and where they are now. “It shows that women can do what men can do, and sometimes greater,” Waller said.
