Her Garden is a new mentoring program for women of color that starts recruitment in Spring 2024! Informed by feminist, womanist, and social justice principles and theory, the Women's Center is seeking to create a space for Women of Color to grow into their authentic selves through connection with others, to learn to exercise agency and creativity in their daily lives, and to feel supported and empowered in all that they do. Through this program, students will be able to:
- Investigate aspects of their identities to assess their personal beliefs and place in society.
- Actively participate in programs and events that will promote identity development, leadership skills, relationship building, and encourage conversation where gender, race, ethnicity, and cultural background intersect.
- Identify campus and community resources for managing stress anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
Interested in being part of the program? Sign up for a focus group session to share your thoughts on what this program should look like at https://bit.ly/WOC_mentor. Or join our mentoring network to stay up to date on program and event information by signing up at https://www.remind.com/join/duwocmn.
For more information, email womenctr@duke.edu with the subject “Her Garden.”
When the Women’s Center staff sat down to determine a name for the women of color mentoring program, Director Krystal George knew that she wanted the name to be unique. This proved to be rather difficult. After days of brainstorming, the team eventually decided to call on historical figures in womanist theology for inspiration. They found that Alice Walker, in her infinite wisdom, gifted them with more than enough material to work with in her womanist prose collection, In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens. Thirty-six pieces of Walker’s work were included in the anthology. detailing the lived experiences of women of color from Walker’s past and present that were used to inform her identity as a womanist.
In the book, Walker sheds light onto the plight of black mothers and grandmothers, whom she also refers to as ‘hidden artists.’ In the beginning of the book, Walker wonders how women like her mother can create while simultaneously being oppressed. As she looks to the work of artists like Zora Neale Hurston and Jean Toomer, she realizes that a black woman’s ability to cultivate beauty, art, and legacy in spite of constant injustice was born out of necessity. The ‘garden’ is a metaphor for a space of peace and refuge. It is a place that we all search for; however, depending on the body that one is born in, the search for it can be difficult. As women of color, we are engaged in a constant search for a ‘garden’ in a world that continues to devalue us. However, just as Alice Walker was able to find her own garden by looking to the legacy created by the women who came before her, we can do the same. Our hope is that this mentorship program brings your search for safety, tranquility, and refuge to an end. We will help you to cultivate a garden of your own, by connecting you with the artists, or women of color who came before you.
Mission Statement
At Duke University, Her Garden: WOC Mentoring Initiative fosters the development of an inclusive sisterhood for women and femme identifying students belonging to underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. It serves to amplify voices belonging to women of color through connection, community, and collaboration.
Vision
Her Garden: WOC Mentoring Initiative envisions a Duke community where women of color and femme identifying students feel valued to flourish and confidently influence their fellow sisters and the greater campus.
Mentees
All are welcome to apply; however, we strongly encourage women or femme identifying graduate/professional and undergraduates whose identity has racial, ethnic, or cultural diversity that is considered marginalized in the U.S. context to apply.
The following are required for mentees:
- Attend orientation and submit mentorship agreement to program supervisor (Tayla Suitte, MPH)
- Attend day of service coordinated by WC staff
- Attend all dinner speaker series events which will be held on Thursdays 6pm - 7:30pm
- Meet with mentors at least once per month for 1 hour and submit monthly survey
- Attend End of Year Celebration in April 2025
Mentors
All are welcome to apply; however, we strongly encourage women or femme identifying faculty, staff, or alumni whose identity has racial, ethnic, or cultural diversity that is considered marginalized in the U.S. context to apply.
The following are required for mentors:
- Meet, in person, for at least 1 hour each month with mentees
- Attend 1 orientation in September 2024
- Use small stipend to pay for coffee/snacks during meetings with mentees
- Complete a monthly survey detailing status of mentorship relationship
- Attend 1 End of Year Celebration in April 2025
Orientation
Orientation will welcome mentors and mentees, introduce them to the program, and get participants acquainted with their mentorship pair.
Mentor/Mentee Meetings
Meetings between mentors and mentees will occur monthly and in person. Topic discussions are up to the discretion of the mentorship pair and needs of the mentee. After meetings, mentors and mentees will complete a survey to assess the mentor/mentee relationship.
Monthly Programs
Every other month, mentees will be required to attend a speaker series (Dinner will be provided). Speakers will engage students in a variety of topics affecting women of color from navigating predominantly white spaces to the superwoman complex. Mentees will also have the opportunity to attend community building events. This includes a vision board party, a picnic at Duke Gardens, and more!
Service Project
Mentees will complete a service project related to reproductive justice and gender equity in partnership with local nonprofits. This will be a day of service where participants will be fully immersed in the community.
End of Year Celebration
The end of year celebration will be held during the spring semester. It will offer mentors and mentees time breathe and celebrate their accomplishments.
A mentorship archetype refers to the style guidance that a mentor will offer to mentees.
The Sage
The Sage is someone who bears wisdom and uses it to advise a mentee. They offer knowledge or inspiration to guide a mentee as they advance to the next step in their journey, whether it be academic, personal, or professional.
The Auntie
The Auntie connects with the mentee in a way that is almost familial. They uplift, challenge, and also protect. They provide a safe space for the mentee to share, but will not tell the mentee only what they want to hear.
The Affirmer
The Affirmer will validate the lived experiences of mentees and offer words of encouragement. They act as a sounding board, but also as someone who speaks life into mentees. They empower, confirm, and celebrate the mentee.
The Nurturer
The nurturer naturally offers their mentees comfort and empathy. They also offer support to encourage the growth and development of the mentee. They provide the necessary “nourishment” for a mentee to blossom.
2024-2025 Mentors
Genille Anderson
Genille Anderson serves as the Associate Dean of Students for Graduate and Professional Student Services at Duke University where she directs the division’s efforts in supporting graduate and professional student related initiatives. She hopes that her experience can be helpful to a student of color looking to make the most out of their Duke journey.
Shannon Ashford
Shannon Ashford is a proud to be a Black woman and is excited to have the opportunity to both pour into and learn from other women of color at Duke. In her role within the Office for Institutional Equity, she serves as an educator, facilitator, strategic partner and coach to all members of the Duke community.
Shania Appadoo
Shania Appadoo is a researcher in the Matsunami lab. She chose to be a mentor as she is driven by a desire to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their goals. She also finds fulfillment in teaching, guiding, and watching her mentees grow and succeed.
Karema Atkinson
Karema Atkinson is the Assistant Director of Res Halls Operations on East/West/Central campus. She chose to be a mentor because she knows how life can get for a female, especially a woman of color. Karema believes that young women need to be heard. Her mother provided such an open space for her to express how she feel without judgement and Karema wants to be that ear as well.
Shamiece Banks
Assistant Director of New Student and Family Programs, Shamiece Banks, is passionate about empowering Women of Color to show up in spaces authentically. She knows the importance of mentorship in one's life, and would love to walk alongside someone in their journey and remind them that they are never alone.
Darian Blakey
Darian Blakey is an on-campus events program coordinator in the admissions office at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Much of her work involves ensuring that underrepresented groups have the space to be excellent in previously inaccessible spaces. It is for this reason she chose to be a mentor.
Shaunda Burton
Shaunda Bruton is a Registered Medical Assistant with Duke Primary Care Meadowmont. She chose to be a mentor because she is an open person and wants to help the next generation of professionals. Growing up, Shaunda didn’t have anyone to guide her or even be a listening ear, so she wants to be able to someone’s “person.”
Natalia Cervantes
Natalia Cervantes is an Assistant Director at the Duke International Student Center & primarily support graduate international student in their transition to Duke/Durham plus their overall experience at Duke. As someone who greatly appreciated her own mentors, Natalia is excited to give back as a mentor to build relationships with current students.
Yolanda Santiago-Correa
Yolanda M. Santiago Correa was born and raised in the archipelago of Puerto Rico and is currently a program coordinator for the Hispanic House of Studies at Duke. She chose to be a mentor because there is no value in “getting to the top” if she is not pulling others up with her as she climbs.
Shruti Desai
Shruti Desai serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement. She oversees the identity and culture centers, international students, student leadership, venues, conferences, and IT. She hopes that if this generation of students can understand themselves and oppressive systems better that they can be change agents for the future.
Charmaine Duckie
As a seasoned nurse with a diverse career spanning from trauma to home health, Charmaine Duckie has developed a deep-rooted commitment to patient care and a passion for empowering others. Her educational journey, including a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Duke University, has equipped her with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact.
Alex Espaillat
Alex Espaillat is an Assistant Director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs. She wish that Her Garden existed when she was in undergrad & grad school! She knows what the value a space like this can hold and is excited to follow the Women's Center along on this journey! A mentorship program at Duke for Women of Color is long overdue and it's inaugural class would be a privilege to be apart of!
Roberta Maldonado-Franzen
Roberta Maldonado Franzen, Ph.D., SPHR, (she/her) is the director of talent acquisition and recruitment at Duke University. In the past, she often struggled to identify a mentor who understood the multiple identities and challenges she faced throughout her career. HER Garden will allow her to pay it forward.
Saskia Gale
From living overseas most of her life, being in the military, and having other unique lived experiences as an Afro-Latina, Program Coordinator, Saskia Gale is thankful to have been pushed to learn so much about myself and the world she’s in. Saskia is deeply appreciative of opportunities to offer support and guidance to others because of the transformative impact mentors have had on her.
Ash Hargrove
OIE Staff Specialist, Ash Hargrove, was fortunate enough to have a mentor who offered invaluable advice on both academics and life's broader challenges. Inspired by this experience, she is committed to providing the same level of support and safe space for students
Camille Jackson
Camille Jackson leads the development and execution of strategic communication plans to promote OIT's programs and services among Duke's faculty, staff, and students. With her expertise in digital and social media platforms, Camille effectively educates and empowers non-technological audiences by creating engaging messaging.
Dawna Jones
Dawna Jones serves as the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Identity Centers and Community Development. Her professional research interests include Superwoman Schema, leadership development, and polychronicity. In her free time, she loves to read/bookstagram, watch way too much television, and stay way too long at restaurants.
Tai Strachan-Louidor
Tai Strachan-Louidor is the Assistant Director for Outreach and Communication at the Duke Counseling and Psychological Center. She is interested in being a mentor for Her Garden because she personally understands the value and impact mentorship can have on college student success, as well as their overall collegiate experience.
Hailey Mason
Hailey Mason is a double UNC-Chapel Hill grad with a background in Public Health. She currently works as a Program Director in the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) managing the Duke Racial Equity Advisory Council's (REAC) efforts and completing other special projects in OIE. Hailey is excited to join Her Garden and build community with other women and femmes of color.
Whitney N. McCoy
Dr. Whitney N. McCoy, a native of High Point, NC, is a Research Scientist focusing on Equity and Inclusion for the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Engaging in community efforts and mentoring among Black students and families brings Dr. McCoy pure joy
Nicole Mitchell
Nicole Mitchell is the Assignments Coordinator in the Housing Assignments Office in HRL. She develops the written and digital communications that go out to our office and assist with smaller assignment processes like summer housing and early arrival. really like the idea of connecting more with students.
Megan Peterson
Megan graduated from NCCU with a BS in Criminal Justice. She I has been working at Duke since 2018 in the Office for Institutional Equity. I chose to become a mentor because I am raising two black children, and I would like to show them that when you work hard and have learned different life lessons, you should teach others what has worked for you.
Krishnapriya Perumbillissery
Krishnapriya Perumbillissery is an applied economist with interests in the fields of energy, environment, development, gender, and labour economics. Krishapriya wants to help her mentees navigate competitive academic and professional spaces while continuing to be the best version of themselves.
Yadurshini Raveendran
Yadurshini Raveendran is originally from Colombo,and serves as the Program Leader for the Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity program at the Duke Cancer Institute. As an immigrant and 1st generation graduate, Yadu is passionate about supporting other underrepresented minority students.
Trina Rodriguez
Growing up in the inner city of Baltimore it was difficult for Trina to find her voice in a noisy environment. She was determined to have a better life and now her passion is to inspire others to forge their own path through F.E.M.E. (Faith. Education. Motivation. Empowerment).
Bri Small
Bri Small serves as the Residence Coordinator for Hollows Quad on West Campus. Over time, she became a big sister or auntie to many of her students as she helped them polish essays, think of next steps, offer encouragements, and more. She feels passionately about making sure that younger, Black women, and women in general, are made to feel heard, loved, and accepted in this world.
Mathavi Strasburger
Mathavi has crafted a career in advancing student success initiatives in higher education. As the Director of the Academic Advising Center at Duke University, Mathavi oversees the academic advising services provided to Trinity College students from the time they matriculate at Duke until they declare their major as sophomores.
Felicia Tittle
Felicia Tittle serves as the Executive Director of Recreation and Physical Education. She oversees Duke University programs for Aquatics, Group Fitness, Outdoor Adventures, Intramurals, Physical Education, Personal Training, Recreation Facilities, and Sport Clubs.
Christina Valle
CAs a Hispanic female growing up in New York City's Lower East Side, Christina Valle, MSN, RN, CNOR, faced limited opportunities to meet others like herself in healthcare environments, especially in leadership positions. Through mentorship, she aims to inspire and guide the next generation of talent to develop and progress in their aspirations.