OBU Student Leaders Speak Out During Women's History Month

The month of March marks the beginning of Women’s History Month. The aim for the month is to, “ Celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields,” according to womenshistorymonth.gov. In an effort to highlight women on campus, women in leadership were asked to share their experience, thus far, at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). “This institution is filled with an empowering support system that constantly reminds me of my capabilities. Being able to be encouraged in that matter is always perceived as a celebration in my eyes. Words of encouragement from fellow students and faculty is a constant reminder of how my contributions at this institution are bigger than myself and attribute to the celebration of the vital role of women in society,” Jennifer Santos, the president of the Latin American Student Association (LASO), said. Santos is an active student and OBU, and along with her involvement in LASO, she is the secretary of Alpha Mu Gamma which is the Foreign Language Honor Society. “Women’s history month means recognizing and celebrating the bridges our predecessors paved to improve the lives of families, communities, and society. This month is meant to find new ways to encourage and support women while also highlighting the achievements and discussing continuing and emerging women empowerment and gender equality issues and concerns. Being able to celebrate women of all races, ethnicities, religions, ages, and socioeconomic status is crucial for a progression towards equality and equity, where a more diverse tomorrow is observed – it is a month were women who defy the status quo make history and create the change we want to see in the world,” Santos said. Even though she is invested in the present, she has an exciting future planned. “I plan on applying to graduate school, hoping to complete a master's in Biomedical Forensic Sciences at Boston University, and obtain a Ph.D. in Biochemistry or Genetics and Molecular Biology at Emory University or Brown University. While also seeking to obtain a job as a DNA analyst at a forensic laboratory whether that be a state or federal criminalistics laboratory,” Santos said. Santos is experiencing OBU as a woman of color in a male-dominated field. She is building her foundation at OBU to break ground for women. “Being a woman at OBU has been a unique experience. As a woman of color in STEM, I find myself already defying the odds which surround my Latin heritage both in a gender and ethnic context. Being a first-generation Mexican American woman STEM major at OBU has been a unique experience in and out of itself. I find myself always wanting to redefine the stereotypes

that surround being a Latina at a predominantly white institution. Through the leadership positions I hold at the university I can only hope to close the gap between gender and ethnicity, by opening the possibility for further advancement of minorities in positions of leadership that are essential to the progression of not only the university, but society,” Santos said. Santos is not the only woman in leadership at OBU that is making a difference. “To be a woman at OBU means that I am important. We have had a winning season in volleyball for several years so the celebration for that has been great. If I had not been in sports, my interactions may have made me feel differently as a woman. I feel like overall when there are reasons to celebrate and love on women then OBU does but we should celebrate women at all times and I think that could be better,” Destiny Temple, the Social Chair for the Black Student Association (BSA), said. Temple is active in the student body as well as in the student-athlete community. She can see differences in males and females as well as share her appreciation for OBU as a university. “I think female and male sports should be treated with the same intensity. There have been classes I have taken where some comments were made about women are made and it's primarily up to the women to say something and defend themselves and then maybe other men will stand up...” Temple has crafted an exciting life for herself post-graduation. “After graduation, I plan to continue my studies and play volleyball with the 2 years of eligibility I have left. I am purely interested in prison reform, so I plan to shape a career around that,” Temple said. Temple and Santos are preparing to step into life-changing fields with confidence. They are working to change OBU for the better as well as set up a future for themselves. This Women’s History Month reach out to a woman you know and ask them about the experience. Get to know them, listen to them and aim to celebrate them not just during March but throughout the year. Learn more about Women’s History Month at womenshistorymonth.gov.