HBCUs Celebrate Women’s History Month

For Black women, the calendar offers back-to-back shoutouts to their melanin magnificence. February is Black History Month and March is Women’s History Month. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are hosting events ranging from art exhibits to panel discussions to liturgical services to celebrate.

“I’m happy to be a part of recognizing the accomplishments of women,” fiber artist Kim Newton said.

Newton is part of a dual art exhibit which also features her aunt, internationally known pastel artist, Brenda Joysmith. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is sponsoring the exhibit which runs through early April.

Newton’s work as a fiber artist highlights her contemporary take on the tradition of quilting which she learned from her paternal grandmother during the summer following her graduation from Fisk University.

“That summer changed my life,” Newton mused. “I am not quite sure if it was learning such an honorable art form from my grandma or if it was the time we spent together.”

Using Indonesian batik fabric, the former corporate executive constructs compelling portraits and pictures that speak to universal themes. She attributes her appreciation of art to her mom and her aunt, Joysmith, who established her name in the art world for her pastels which capture life’s special moments. Joysmith is also known for contributing several of the works of art included on the set of the 1980s hit sitcom, The Cosby Show.

Both aunt and niece create images of female empowerment.

“I want my quilts to not only warm the body but also the spirit,” Newton said. “We all have fears. We all desire deep down affirmation and love. I would say I’m about empowering the human spirit, but I’m closer to the heart of women through my own experiences and experiences I relate to that other women are going through.”

Cathy Hughes and Beyonce

At Howard University in Washington, D.C., Women’s History Month began with a “Conversation with Cathy Hughes”. Hughes, founder of the Urban One media empire, shared her experiences with young women in the Communications Department named for her. In the late 70s, Howard hired Hughes to work in its Communications Department.

“Years ago, I realized that I was supposed to be in media, but my second choice for myself would have been to teach,” Hughes said in an interview with the campus TV station. “The greatest honor of my life is to have this school of Communications named the Cathy Hughes School of Communications. Not because it flatters my ego, but because it puts me in direct contact with you and the other students.”

Last week at Spelman College in Atlanta, one of the world’s most recognizable women, Grammy-award winning superstar Beyonce, served as the focal point of a worship service dedicated to women. Rev. Neichelle Guidry, dean of Sisters Chapel and director of the Women in Spiritual Discernment of Ministry Center, remarked in an interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “The first question I get when we talk about this worship service is, ‘Are you worshipping Beyonce?’ It is a clear and unequivocal ‘no’ to that question.”

Guidry and Rev. Yolanda Norton worked together to produce the Beyonce liturgy. Norton has taught a class that examines how Black women see themselves in Scripture.

“We wanted to reframe how we encounter the text in ways that don’t vilify Black women but uplift them,” Norton said. “We wanted to create a framework within the Christian space that tells black women’s stories.”

Some of Newton’s quilts include Scripture to accentuate the visual message while others offer lessons from the Bible.  One of the quilts shows a Black woman with flowing tresses and is named Samson for the Biblical figure whose extraordinary strength resided in his hair.  

The wife and mother explained, “There are a lot of lessons in the Biblical story of Samson. God created you for a higher purpose. You will need God’s strength to fulfill your calling. You will face temptation and opposition getting there.”

As is often said about a timely word, “That’ll preach,” regardless of the month.