Women’s Council sells ‘I Am A Jacksonian Woman’ t-shirts

Crystal Killingsworth
Staff Writer

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Jackson State University’s Ambassadors for the Women’s Council of Philanthropy hosted a t-shirt celebration at the campus’ Welcome Center on March 19.

The Welcome Center was filled with women of all ages buying the $10 t-shirts with the words “I AM A JACKSONIAN WOMAN” written on them to support the month dedicated to women’s recognition.

“We’re just a group of women with like minded ideas that want to express our interest in giving back,” said Amber Brown, a  junior  marketing major from East St. Louis Ill. “I have always had a  natural passion for giving back.”

The Women’s Council, originally founded on May 15, 2007, serves as a conjoining unit to the universities Development Foundation to promote awareness of philanthropy on the campus. The program is one of many created to attract and develop students interaction in an effort to expand leadership, scholarship, and mentorship toward a lifelong commitment to improving the University.

The purpose of the Jackson State Women’s Council for Philanthropy is to change the face of philanthropy for individuals from diverse backgrounds to see themselves as philanthropists through leadership, scholarship, and mentorship.

According to the Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University, women are becoming increasingly strong economic players in today’s day in age. “Income and education are key predictors of philanthropic behavior and women have increasing access to both.” In fact, some estimate that by 2030, women will control as much as two-thirds of the nation’s wealth.”

“We believe that women are transforming the workplace, the home, and the community because of their numbers, their earning power, and their commitment to philanthropy,”

Said Shontrice Garrett, a math education major from East St. Louis, Ill. is one of the student ambassadors of the program and said.

Montique Clark, administrative assistant in the Elementary and Early Childhood Department said the group of students caught her attention with the information that was distributed out to the campus and email concerning women’s philanthropy.

“I’m just very excited and overwhelmed to see the number of students, faculty and staff,” said Clark.  “Anyway that I can assist the students, come out and spread the word, encourage, motivate, build and grow, that’s what I’m here for.”