W.E.A.L.T.H. 2010 Pre-conference Workshop: GACRAO's First Forum for Women

By Sojourner Marable Grimmett

Hosted by the Georgia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (GACRAO) President-elect Dr. Angela Evans, director of student recruitment and admissions at Kennesaw State University, the W.E.A.L.T.H (Women and Gender Equity and Access through Leadership and Training)
pre-conference workshop at this year's annual GACRAO conference motivated, educated, inspired, and empowered women in higher education.

After 18 months of planning and preparation, the pre-conference planning committee members were excited to showcase a new platform and opportunity for admission and registrar participants of post-secondary education institutions.

W.E.A.L.T.H planning committee members include the following:

Dr. Angela Evans, GACRAO President-elect Director of Student Recruitment
and Admissions, Kennesaw State University

Dr. Tyra Wingo, Chair
Associate Registrar, Chattahoochee Technical College

Romina Torres-Aranda
Associate Director of Admissions, Kennesaw State University

Sojourner Marable Grimmett
Senior Admission Representative and Student Ambassador Adviser, Savannah
College of Art and Design

Ana Edwards
Associate Registrar, Kennesaw State University

Dr. Nichole Kennedy, GACRAO Secretary
Executive Director of Student Affairs, Technical College System of Georgia

Mr. Clint Hobbs, GACRAO President
Vice President for Enrollment Management, Young Harris College

The W.E.A.L.T.H facilitator, Dr. Tyra Wingo, Associate Registrar, Chattahoochee Technical College, was phenomenal in getting participants enthusiastic about taking their careers and personal lives to the next
level. Through various exercises, women were engaged in activities that enabled them to network and learn key tools to assist them in reaching their highest potential and career goals. Leaders in their fields were selected and assigned as mentors to other participants willing to benefit from an exchange designed to enrich their personal growth and journey.

Each participant received a Personal Success Journey, based on the book, "The Success Principles" by Jack Cranfield, further providing them with the tools and framework for creating a healthy mind and the confidence to pursue their goals.

Throughout the conference, women dressed in various shades of pink were spotted everywhere as a nod to breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from W.E.A.L.T.H store sales were donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

The W.E.A.L.T.H. program is designed to provide enrollment services professionals with the opportunity to connect with and learn from each other in order to promote professional development and personal success. At the end of the conference, attendees attended an  "I-think" session, which wrapped up the first of many educational and enjoyable gatherings.

Each month, participants will have the opportunity to participate in online discussions based on a different principle featured in "Success Principles." These discussions will aid in the professional development process as well as maintain the mentor relationships forged during the workshop and conference activities.

Loving and Taking Care of an Elderly Parent

Have you ever sat at the computer and googled your family and friends?  Recently, I googled my Grandma, Rev. Dr. June Morehead Marable.  Her honors and accolades highlighted on the screen, as I scrolled down the page and marveled at her dissertation description.  Her stories of growing up as a minister's child filled my head, and I imagined her white gloves, sharp tailored suits, and of course matching hats.  We called her “Groovy Grandmother” growing up, because she wore the title "woman" well and was classy, intelligent,beautiful and sophisticated.  She also jumped on the trampoline, roller-skated, and played ball with us. 

Several years ago, I started noticing my grandma's memory was fading.  She began calling me my sister's name, Malaika, and reiterating the same stories about the pledging days and hymns of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  I soon knew those stories so well, that I could finish them for her.  I miss those stories now.  Today, Alzheimer's is trying to control her thought process.  There are times when she will surprise you and remember important aspects of your life, or lecture to you as if you were a pupil in her classroom.  The sparkles in her eyes are still bright, but have become a bit more distant through the years, and are fading slowly.

Throughout my grandma's journey, my Aunt Madonna has been there every step of the way.  She has been the researcher, guide, and parent for her mom.  Observing this transition of parent and child interaction has been an eye-opening experience and one shown with grace and unconditional love. 

There are some people in the world that are just remarkable.  My grandma and aunt are two of those people.  Madonna’s journey of assisting her mom needed to be shared.  I asked her to provide helpful tips for those of you facing the same situation of taking care of an elderly parent.

Madonna began, “My personal journey with my mom’s condition was at first viewed as unbelief, rationalizations, and excuses.  I dismissed her often times irrational behaviors, negative attitudes, paranoia, and forgetfulness.  I attributed the changes in mom as a reaction to a series of external challenges and changes which she had no control of.”

In reflection she continued, "My mother's diseases progressed when she turned 70 years old.  I noticed she would often lose her keys, call the locksmith to install locks, and take them off all the doors in her house.  Every door.” 

These activities were unusual for my grandma.  Being an educator, she was always very sharp and aware of her surroundings.  Her background was quite extensive for an older African American woman, having earned four degrees including a Ph.D. in Education, and a Masters in Divinity.  Who knew a deadly brain disorder would slowly consume a once vital, brilliant woman?

"She couldn’t remember how to get back home and forgot to pay her bills.  She didn’t want to let go of control, however over a period of time, one by one, I convinced her to allow me to assist her with managing her household and responsibilities," explained my aunt.

Aunt Madonna felt alone as her mom’s primary care giver and experienced insurmountable grief.  “I felt alone, like no one understood."  She decided to change the way she was feeling and started researching ways to assist her mom. My grandma is doing much better now, because my aunt stepped in to assist her when she needed it most. 

Tips for Caregivers:

• Take time to care for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually
•  Join support groups, if needed
• Don't try to do everything yourself - ask for help
• Exercise
• Eat healthy
• Reduce stress
• Rest and meditate
• Forgive 

Published in Elephant Journal.