Jan. 11: Spelman’s Wellness Center Hosts Wintermester Walking Challenge

Spelman’s Wellness Center Hosts Wintermester Walking Challenge

Spelman’s Wellness Center is hosting a walking challenge during Wintermester to encourage the Spelman community to develop and maintain healthy habits.

The challenge begins today, Jan. 11, and coincides with the beginning of Healthy Weight Awareness Month.

Each Wednesday, students who have redeemed their free Peloton subscription are invited to select a walking class. Participants will track their steps and submit their totals to the Wellness Center.

"For many of our students, the pandemic has brought their healthy habits and options to a halt," said Germaine McAuley, director of the Wellness Center. "Through this challenge and calendar activities, we can continue to promote healthy habits and help students find ways to lead healthy lives through movement."

In addition to the challenge, the Wellness Center has also developed a Wintermester Wellness Calendar to encourage participation in classes available through the Peloton app throughout the month.

Spelman Students Worked to Rally Their Peers During the 2020 General Election and Recent Runoffs

After having worked as a Democratic National Committee Presidential Fellow, Imani Bennett, C’2023, had the opportunity to introduce President-Elect Joseph Biden during a Get Out the Vote Rally prior to the United States Senate run-off in Georgia.

"Many of my classmates were involved in the general election campaign as well as the runoff," she said. "The stakes were high. We realize how fragile our democracy, civil and human rights are with each election."

During the busy election season Bennett and her classmate Sophia Parker, C’2023, also a DNC presidential scholar, canvassed the city, worked phone and text banks, and served in numerous other campaign roles.

Several Spelman students, inspired by Stacey Abrams, C’95, also used their voices to rally their peers to the polls.

Deja Mason, C’2022, took time during her remote learning experience to work with the New Voters Projec t. Nia Dumas, C’2022, worked with Abram’s organization Fair Fight. Aiyana Edwards, C’2023, created her own political organization and worked with the Election Protection Coalition as a poll monitor during the November election.

Endowed Scholarship Honors Computer Scientist Dr. Andrea Lawrence

Spelman’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences has established an endowed scholarship to acknowledge and honor the service, leadership and contributions of Andrea Lawrence, Ph.D., C'68.

Dr. Lawrence, a computer scientist and educator, was the first African American to earn a doctorate degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

A proud alumna, Dr. Lawrence was one of the first faculty members in the computer and information sciences department and has held various leadership roles at the College for more than 30 years.

Gifts to the scholarship fund can be made via Spelman.edu.

Alumna Joins Government Relations Firm Invariant

Maia Hunt Estes, C’98, a democratic political strategist, joined the bipartisan government relations and communications firm Invariant.

Estes joins Invariant after serving as chief of staff to Representative Anthony Brown (D-MD), where she advised the Congressman on a range of issues, from national security and defense to transportation and infrastructure.

At Invariant, Estes will advise and develop strategies to help health care, defense, transportation and appropriations clients navigate the evolving political landscape.

"I am excited to join a highly reputable, results-oriented firm invested in doing the hard work with a sense of urgency and sensibility," she said.