2008 Woodie Awards
VAHS: practicing what they preach
Rachel Davis, Opinion Editor
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
One of the newest student organizations on campus, Virtuous African Heritage Sisterhood (VAHS) is a service-oriented
organization conceived last year during all of the racially related conversations at the university.
"We decided that after all the racial conflicts on campus, that it was time to start an organization for African American
women," said Anna Peters, co-president and junior children's ministry and elementary education major from Houston.
"Our goal was to create an organization where women can learn to better themselves mentally, physically, socially and spiritually."
Mauri Westbrook, coordinator of student organizations
and activities, said the organization brings a new element to
campus organizations.
"I think their desire to address a specific need amongst a specific group is unique," Westbrook said. "We have some multicultural groups but nothing specific to African American females. I think it definitely addresses a real need we have here."
Peters, who co-founded the group with senior business management major Chardee Henley, said the group is geared toward African Americans, but it's a very diverse group.
"We're open to anyone really," Peters said. "Each woman goes through the same self-esteem issues and has to deal with dating guys and dating Jesus."
VAHS will have many different projects and meetings during the year.
"We'll take what we've learned in our meetings, go to various service organizations and put what we've learned into practice,"
Peters said. "We try to teach the younger girls what we've learned - it's a practice used in the Bible where the older women teach the younger girls. We want everyone to become
that Proverbs 31 woman."
The organization's mission statement says its goals are "to strive and honor God, provide positive solutions to specific needs of African American females and principles of leadership,
achievement, sisterhood and spirituality."
The group began with 25 members last semester and is now up to 65 members. Peters said there are many other girls interested.
"It's obvious that there's a definite need for something like this," Peters said. "Many of the professors and staff agreed with us that it would be good for the environment on campus."
The women advertised through Chapel announcements,
Essence of Ebony Chapel and sent out letters to prospective freshmen.
"We wanted to let them know that there's more than one way to get connected on campus," Peters said. "It's so easy to sit
next to someone in chape and not even notice them when they're gone the next day. We just want this group to reach out to people like that."
E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu
organization conceived last year during all of the racially related conversations at the university.
"We decided that after all the racial conflicts on campus, that it was time to start an organization for African American
women," said Anna Peters, co-president and junior children's ministry and elementary education major from Houston.
"Our goal was to create an organization where women can learn to better themselves mentally, physically, socially and spiritually."
Mauri Westbrook, coordinator of student organizations
and activities, said the organization brings a new element to
campus organizations.
"I think their desire to address a specific need amongst a specific group is unique," Westbrook said. "We have some multicultural groups but nothing specific to African American females. I think it definitely addresses a real need we have here."
Peters, who co-founded the group with senior business management major Chardee Henley, said the group is geared toward African Americans, but it's a very diverse group.
"We're open to anyone really," Peters said. "Each woman goes through the same self-esteem issues and has to deal with dating guys and dating Jesus."
VAHS will have many different projects and meetings during the year.
"We'll take what we've learned in our meetings, go to various service organizations and put what we've learned into practice,"
Peters said. "We try to teach the younger girls what we've learned - it's a practice used in the Bible where the older women teach the younger girls. We want everyone to become
that Proverbs 31 woman."
The organization's mission statement says its goals are "to strive and honor God, provide positive solutions to specific needs of African American females and principles of leadership,
achievement, sisterhood and spirituality."
The group began with 25 members last semester and is now up to 65 members. Peters said there are many other girls interested.
"It's obvious that there's a definite need for something like this," Peters said. "Many of the professors and staff agreed with us that it would be good for the environment on campus."
The women advertised through Chapel announcements,
Essence of Ebony Chapel and sent out letters to prospective freshmen.
"We wanted to let them know that there's more than one way to get connected on campus," Peters said. "It's so easy to sit
next to someone in chape and not even notice them when they're gone the next day. We just want this group to reach out to people like that."
E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu
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