Asked why do colleges and universities need another organization? According to the organizers this organization is needed because it is one of the few that will focus on empowering its membership first and then equip them to help others. The organization is open to college women who are progressive in their thoughts and actions, committed and dedicated to the cause of all humanity.
The charter members come from varied backgrounds and cultures, and ready to move the organization to the next level with the many planned programs. The key programs for the group include mentoring, education, economic empowerment and health and wellness. Among the membership are student government officials, campus leaders, resident hall counselors, organization presidents, prospective early childhood teachers and prospective entrepreneurs.
The mission of the 100 Collegiate Women of America is to increase and provide opportunities to empower and improve the quality of life for women and to influence development at all levels of society. Guided by its motto: to engage, educate, empower and inspire others to greatness, the organization hopes to fulfill its mission.
The 100 Collegiate Women is an outgrowth of an idea for an organization by Frederick V. Roberts, former Assistant Director of Career Services at Prairie View A&M University and a program initiative of the Collegiate 100 at the university. According to Roberts, who created the Collegiate 100 organization in 1993, women were part of that group at first. However, the affiliation with the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. and the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. in 1994, the membership focus was only on the college men.
With the reactivation of the Collegiate 100 at Prairie View A&M University in March 2011 and the subsequent induction of the men into the chapter, there was a renewed interest in a women’s group. Realizing the commitment to the young men in bringing the group back to campus, Roberts and the men decided to delay creating that group.
Following the induction of the Collegiate 100 and at the urging of Dymonique Burton, Vice President of the group, Roberts organized a team and began work on creating the 100 Collegiate Women of America. The group is a non-profit organization and plans to expand to colleges and universities nationwide.
Beginning in September, Roberts, Burton and Travis Reed, the Collegiate 100 president, met with several young women to who had expressed interest in the organization to discuss the rollout of the organization. Roberts appointed Elexia Robinson-White, a senior education major from Desoto, Texas, as the organizing Chair/President. They were also offered membership into the new group. “When I was selected as the organizing chair, I was ecstatic because this is the kind of organization I was looking to be a part of,” Elexia said. “I am so glad this organization is formed and I look forward to making things happen in a big way.”
Word about the organization spread like wild fire and the result was the induction of the 41 college women and several honorary members including Mrs. Johnie Walker, assistant coordinator for alternative teacher certification and Dr. De Linda Marzette, language professor at Prairie View A&M University, who serves as the organization advisers. Other honorary members are Glenda Jones, Director, Career Services, Shadia Washington and Emebet Admasu, Corporate Relations and Administrative Assistant in Career Services, Kendra Mia Prestage, Artist/Grad Student, Tamra Wiley Lewis, Owner of TRB & Associates, Houston, Amy Charleston, Drama Teacher/Director, Royal High, Brookshire, Dr. DeAndrea Hughes, Talent Search at Texas Southern University, Attorney Evangeline Mitchell, founder of Black Pre Law Conference, Houston, and Precinct Judge Marianne Elaine Jackson of Prairie View.
Since the ceremonies, requests have been received for chapters at the Texas Southern University, University of Houston, University of North Texas and University of Indiana. Roberts and the group look forward to the launching 100 Collegiate Women of America chapters to these campuses by 2012.
The organization is currently planning a talk show circuit run for the likes of Oprah's OWN Channel, Good Morning America, Good Day Houston and CBS Today. Plans also include to take on First Lady Michelle Obama's project of helping Military families and childhood obesity, two major activities for coming year.
For information on the organization write: The 100 Collegiate Women of America, P. O. Box 5433, Prairie View, TX 77446 or collegiatel00women@gmail.com.