On February 27th Wesleyan College hosted a panel of 12 courageous, determined, and empowered women who shared their stories, experiences, and history at the Black Women in Leadership: Standing on Their Shoulders panel.

Panelists include:

Dr. Catherine Meeks, founder of "Standing On Their Shoulders", Wesleyan's first African American full-time faculty member, founding executive director of the Lane Center for Community Engagement and Service, and current director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing; Chi Ezekwueche; Sylvia McGee; Clara Banks-Chandler; Commissioner Elaine Lucas; Lettie Johnson; Dr. Mary Stenson; Joan Walton; Mary Whitfield; Emma Patterson; Ella Carter; and Dr. Thelma Dillard.

"It was indeed a pleasure and an honor to have the women with us to share their stories, experiences and lived wisdom. The power and beauty of connection is at work here: Dr. Catherine Meeks presented her project, "Standing On Their Shoulders," in 2001, the year I graduated from Wesleyan, after having the opportunity to sit under her instruction as the first full-time African American faculty member to serve at our institution. She invited me to be the emcee for the 2018 project, "Standing On Their Shoulders: Celebrating the Wisdom of African American Women," which connected me with the women who were on the panel for our Black Women in Leadership program. It has come full-circle back to Wesleyan and I couldn't be more proud," said Tonya Parker, moderator and assistant dean for equity & inclusion at Wesleyan.