Women from West Virginia University and the Morgantown community were honored by the President’s Office for Social Justice in a "Diversi-Tea" event Thursday.
As seven women were recognized for their accomplishments at both WVU and in the Morgantown community, international students from six different countries had the opportunity to represent their country and culture with a variety of teas they made and presented.
The seven women recognized and honored were Rebecca Berger, assistant director of the Office of Disability Services; Perihan Celik, a faculty lecturer in the Department of Foreign Language; Cathy Jasper, an administrative associate at the Center for Women’s Studies; Lois Morris, coordinator for the International Home Start Closet; Whitney Rae Peters, former vice president of Student Government Association; Susan Ting, owner of Zenclay and Inas Yassine, an engineering student at WVU from Egypt.
"We are able to recognize these seven women, each of them bringing a completely different view of their world, and I can’t tell you enough about these women," said Jennifer McIntosh, executive officer in the President’s Office for Social Justice. "Every one of them is special."
Sharon Mallow, program coordinator in the President’s Office for Social Justice, said a committee selected the women to be honored.
Morris said the honor was very humbling.
"It’s very rewarding to me to get serve the students, and I’ve gotten to meet so many, and learn about their countries and their families," Morris said. "It’s also opened up the community. People are very helpful in the community, and I’ve gotten to meet a lot of Morgantown people, too."
Morris works with the Home Start Closet, which offers international students furniture, clothing and any household item they may need.
"I didn’t realize the needs the students had," Morris said. "It just started out with giving them small items, and now we’re giving them mattresses. Some of them are sleeping on the floor. They have great needs. They may not have a coat and have never seen the snow."
Jasper said she was humbled.
"To be honest, I was surprised," Jasper said. "It’s an honor and a privilege to be recognized for what I do at WVU. The biggest joy for me being at WVU is my interaction with the students. I love it."
Having the opportunity to meet so many people from different backgrounds is what makes Jasper enjoy her job so much.
"Being an employee here lets me meet people from different countries, different demographics, students from small towns to students from large cites," Jasper said. "They give me an opportunity to just be myself."
Embracing diversity was the reason for the event, McIntosh said. McIntosh said women need to be recognized because women are our foundation.
"As we planned for today’s Diversi-Tea, we knew that March is a month that recognizes international women, as I am one, for their political and social accomplishments," she said. "We wanted also to do something that acknowledged international women.
"We’re here today to pay tribute to not only international women but to all women for their outstanding services and accomplishments."
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