Campus Groups Honor Food Service Women
Every year, a group of campus organizations honors women who’ve made a significant contribution to the Vassar community. The “She Is” celebration this year will honor the 72 women who work in food service on campus.
Photo credit: Debbie Swartz
“They definitely don’t get enough recognition for everything that they do,” said Laury Senecal ’23, who is helping to organize the March 24 gala.
Sponsored by the Vassar Haiti Project (VHP), the Women’s Center, and the Office of International Services, the event was created four years ago and was the brainchild of Clairiola Etienne ’18, who was working in the Vassar Haiti Project’s Women’s Initiative. She wanted to celebrate the power of womanhood and strength of women, Senecal said. Doing it during Women’s History Month seemed apropos.
A few of this year’s recipients have already received their awards, which includes a VHP iron sculpture—hand delivered by Vassar students—to workers in the Retreat, Express, and Gordon Commons.
“There was lot of excitement generated and people were really happy,” Senecal said. “I think they were surprised, but delighted.”
The work done by the college’s Bon Appétit food service workers since the beginning of COVID has been remarkable, said Lila Meade, VHP Co-Founder and Executive Director. Celebrating their contribution has also created a new bond between students and workers, she said.
“We thought it would be natural to honor them,” Meade said. “They are consistently there for the students and it’s been really nice.”
This year’s celebration will include performances by Ujima, a speech by the Women’s Initiative, Haitian paintings and sculptures, and food by Twisted Soul. More importantly, there will be conversations at each table wherein invitees can talk about Vassar and themselves.
Past recipients of the “She Is” award include Candice Lowe Swift, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Danushi Fernando, Director of LGBTQ and Gender Resources, and the women of Chermaitre, Haiti.