Sisterhood: an association, society, or community of women linked by a common interest. Spelman exhibits a precise portrayal of sisterhood, attracting countless young Black women globally. This sisterhood was particularly embraced on Sunday August 19 when Spelman held its annual induction ceremony.
The class of ‘28 learned how to cherish and value Spelman’s history and traditions, as they are integral to their identity as Spelman women. The pinning ceremony serves as a milestone event that symbolizes a profound connection to the legacy of those who came before them.
“This ceremony is such a special way to get connected to my spelman sisters, join the sisterhood, and get acclimated to this amazing institution early on,” freshman sociology major Laila Hunt said.
For them, this concept of sisterhood at Spelman is a lived experience, where every woman is nurtured from the very beginning and throughout their entire matriculation. This sense of community only makes the traditions and rituals more meaningful.
“I have loved it so far, every moment has been extremely special, especially embracing this sisterhood and meeting so many people. This particular pinning ceremony tradition surprised me the most because in comparison to other HBCUs, this is something that I’ve never heard of or experienced,” freshman economics major Ayana Shaw said.
The individuality of Spelman’s traditions enhances their significance, as they embody the essence of sisterhood that characterizes the institution.
“Spelman tradition is so dear to my heart. The white dress, the flesh tone hose, the black closed toed shoes are such impeccable traditions,” Audra Pender ‘74 said.
Alumnae engage in these traditions as a means to reinforce the ones they learned during their tenure at Spelman and to contribute to the legacy, empowerment and unity for which Spelman is known for.
“From the very first Spelman alum to now, there’s a thread of consistency. By passing along these traditions, even though they might seem strange to some people, it means a lot once you understand the significance of why we do it,” Ellen Davis ‘92 said.
While it may seem like a minor tradition, the induction ceremony sets the tone for the four year journey these Spelmanites will soon embark on.
“It’s wonderful that we continue the legacy of 143 plus years and remember we have to honor the past as we continue to look towards our future. I think it’s important to remember who we are, our traditions and our foundation because I think that’s the grounding of what makes Spelman special and unique,” Spelman president Helene Gayle said.
