Women honored by Cleveland State at luncheon – The Cauldron

By: Briana Oldham

Cleveland State’s fifth Annual Strong Women, Strong Leaders program took place on March 1, the beginning of International Women’s Month. The event honored women for their achievements as well as the work they do in the classroom and beyond.

The six women recognized at the event were all nominated by a member of faculty or staff at Cleveland State. Before being selected for the award, all women were interviewed by the planning committee, headed by Susan D. Carver, PhD.

Once they were chosen, they were asked to create a Power Point presentation detailing what makes them strong women. The six women who received recognition  all  had one thing in common — their tenacity in the face of adversity and the ability to withstand whatever is hurled at them.

Zahraa Alribeawi, a 17 year old sophomore majoring in international relations. Though she is the youngest of the honorees, Alribeawi doesn’t let that phase her. Her advocacy for human rights and community outreach efforts are what garnered the attention of the committee.

Arrione Clark is in her final year as a graduate student in the school of psychology. Clark has served as president of the Graduate Association of School Psychology. She has participated in community service projects as well as tutoring and mentoring minority students. In her presentation, Clark talked about the intersection of vulnerability and strength. She attributed being a leader and strong woman to realizing that you can be both simultaneously. What she believes fosters her ability to help others so selflessly is the motto that the best leaders of today are those who invest in the leaders of tomorrow.

Cammie Collins is an alumna who graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in journalism and promotional communication. Collins did not let the hardships she’s experienced at the hands of discrimination slow her down. As a result, she has become a spokesperson on behalf of a marginalized community. Her future goals include enrolling in law school and becoming a civil rights attorney.

Tanesha Hunter is also an alumna who earned her master’s in public administration after feeling led to study aging after witnessing her grandmother become diagnosed with dementia. Hunter mentioned her mother as being a strong woman and the source of Hunter’s own strength. Hunter wishes to continue offering help for the vulnerable, as they are sometimes the quietly forgotten population.

Erica Whiteman is a fourth-year doctoral student in counseling psychology. She organized efforts in relation to the Pulse Shooting and Black Lives Matter movement. Whiteman mentors graduate students nationwide in her field and feels as though her strengths are to learn from those who came before her in order to better uplift the students who will come after her.

Treveya Franklin-Boone is in her last year and will soon graduate with her bachelor’s in social work. Franklin-Boone has fought tirelessly to battle addiction and depression in order to continue her education, not only for herself, but for her children and grandchildren who look to her for guidance.