Third Annual Young Women of Color Symposium Inspires and Uplifts

"I am very thankful to be part of this endeavor," says Spanish Teacher Mrs. Tania Pineda, who chaperoned the event and was a part of the adult planning committee. "To see so many young women of color in solidarity feeling seen, loved, and supported; making connections across the Chicagoland area; and knowing they will inspire future generations of women of color in our halls is beyond moving. Francis W. Parker was a wonderful host, and I look forward to next year when the symposium is on Loyola's campus again."

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Shirlene Obuodi, a Ghanaian-American physician, cartoonist, and author. Her comics, which have focused on the challenges of being a Ghanaian-American woman in medicine and the rigors of medical school, have gained traction on social media and her debut novel, On Rotation, has been featured on multiple national outlets including Teen Vogue, Washington Post, and Good Morning America.

The symposium proceeded through thought-provoking sessions such as “Embracing Authenticity,” “Feminist Storytelling in Young Women of Color,” and more. A full program can be viewed here.

Loyola Academy Dean of Students Dr. Alexandra Cruz led a session titled “Feminist Storytelling in Young Women of Color.” The discussion explored storytelling methodology within feminism for young women of color. The workshop captured the unique accounts of young women representing a wide spectrum of identities. Participants had the opportunity to read and discuss the contributions of feminist authors, as well as write their own stories through a feminist lens.

Punctuating the day with energy and enthusiasm were beautiful performances by AfriCaribe, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Puerto Rican and Caribbean cultures, and poetry from Francis W. Parker students Litzy Tafolla and Samara Boyd.

"The YWOC symposium allowed me to be the authentic version of myself," reflects Mayode Oluwole '25, a member of the symposium's student planning committee. "It allowed me not to be seen as the nickname conformed for me (Maya) but allowed me to embody the authentic me, Mayode. It means God has brought me joy and I found joy in being able to connect and gain friendships with people that appreciate the authentic me. The symposium inspired me not to conform to their boundaries and connotations but to flourish beyond them; to find community and uplift others within that same community. For the first time in a while I felt a long lost new sense of home that I had been missing."

A special thank you to the following for the hard work and preparation needed to make this symposium a success:

Student Planning Committee
Rachel Barrientos, Loyola Academy
Jasmine Beecher, Loyola Academy
Ava Bogan, Loyola Academy
Samara Boyd, Francis W. Parker
Sofia Chen, Loyola Academy
Nariya Cooke, Francis W. Parker
Spencer Dunbar, Francis W. Parker
Ruth Duressa, Loyola Academy
Dal Harrell, Francis W. Parker
Ewuraesi Korankye, Franics W. Parker
Ava Lin, Francis W. Parker
Milannia Martin-Hayes, Loyola Academy
Diana Moreno, Loyola Academy
Mayode Oluwole, Loyola Academy
Isabel Rodriguez, Francis W. Parker
Simone Shonuga, Francis W. Parker
Litzy Tafolla, Francis W. Parker
Guadalupe Vazquez, Loyola Academy
Bailey Wallace, Loyola Academy
Madelyn Young, Francis W. Parker

Adult Planning Committee
Bonita Barnett, Francis W. Parker
Sarah Bennet, Loyola Academy
Sarah Butterfield, Francis W. Parker
Alex Cruz, Loyola Academy
Denise David, Francis W. Parker
Masooma Hussain, Loyola Academy
Terri Jackson, Loyola Academy
Alexis Pantoja, Francis W. Parker
Tania Pineda, Loyola Academy
Gabrielle Rose, Francis W. Parker
Priyanka Rupani, Francis W. Parker
Rolanda Shepard, Francis W. Parker
Ashleigh St. Peters, Francis W. Parker

Learn more at goramblers.org/conferences and follow the Young Women of Color Symposium on Instagram.