Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

BWA pairs up with Salvation Army to ring bells

BWA executive board Deetress Peoples, Nichelle Dawkins and Aysa Hood
BWA executive board Deetress Peoples, Nichelle Dawkins and Aysa Hood

The Black Women’s Association is an organization that provides volunteer opportunities as well as a sisterhood to over thirty black women in the West Texas A&M campus.

The organization has been in existence since 2002, but only recently has the group seen their numbers and participation levels rise. This success can be attributed to many things.

“Our executive board has changed a lot,” Secretary of BWA Deetres Peoples said. “We have a great president, and a great Vice President who are really stepping up and getting things done this year.”

This change in the executive board has impacted the organization in a positive way.

“Last year about seven new members were initiated bringing the total to about fifteen active members and this year we have over thirty active members,” People said.

The women of BWA can not only form lasting friendships, but they also give back to the community as much as they can.

“This year BWA is partnering up with Salvation Army,” Vice President of BWA Nichelle Dawkins, said. “We’ll be a part of operation Angel Tree which means we will be out in the communities ringing the bells for money. We require the girls to do ten hours of community service a month.”

BWA is also partnered up with Carenet, which is an organization that helps battered and abused women. Anytime BWA hosts a fundraiser, part of the proceeds go to them.

The group’s efforts mean a lot to the community and the group also means a lot to its members.

“This is my first year as a part of BWA and it provides a sisterhood,” Active member of BWA Kiya Brooks said. “It brings African American women together and we can be there for one another as a family. My favorite thing about BWA is the girls. Everyone is so loving and there as so many different personalities.”

The women will be ringing bells for Salvation Army starting at the beginning of November and continue until Christmas. Also 4 Weeks of Awareness begins in November which aims to raise awareness of diabetes, STDs, Aids, heart disease and all types of cancer for women. One of BWA’s main goals is to bring awareness not only to women in the organization but to women outside in the community as well.

“We’re black women trying to make a difference,” Peoples said. “I see these girls in this group really impacting people’s lives and going against stereotypes not only in college but going on into the business world or wherever their major may take them.”

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