Florida A&M University’s Student Government Association will soon hold its annual inauguration for the new student leaders on campus. This year’s inauguration will mark a 16-year milestone since all three “branch-head” positions were simultaneously filled by women.
In 2007, Florida A&M welcomed Monique Gillum, Mellori Lumpkin and Magalie Yacinthe as its SGA President, Senate President, and Chief Justice. Friday evening, the university will welcome Londe Mondelus, Loryn May, and Klarissa Appiah.
Mondelus is a senior political science major from West Palm Beach, serving as SGA president and university trustee. Coming from last year’s administration where women were the minority, Mondelus is grateful to work alongside May and Appiah to continue defying odds and proving the power of a woman’s leadership.
May is a junior mathematics education major from Pensacola, serving as senate president. She believes her role within SGA has allowed her to continue the legacy established by previous women in leadership. May also hopes to continue using her position to inspire other young women.
Appiah is a senior criminal justice and psychology double major from Charlotte, N.C., serving as chief justice. She is adamant about the impact of this benchmark and hopes to empower other young women to be the change they want to see.
“Women can do it all, ” she said.
This year’s inauguration is a reflection of the importance of inclusive leadership on campus. According to Carrington Whigham, a FAMU alumna and former SGA president, this milestone demonstrates the idea that students of diverse backgrounds bring critical perspectives.
“It is so amazing to see that women are continuing to take space in leadership roles on campus because there was a time in FAMU’s history when these spaces did not include us at the forefront … I hope that my involvement and presidency, along with the other women leaders before me, serve as an inspiration and open doors for more female students to pursue student government in the future,” Whigham said.
One common goal among these women has been to fulfill and continue a legacy. From that, however, have come many challenges. Mondelus, May and Appiah have been very transparent about their experience.
“Being SGA president as a woman is very different. What I am allowed to do is not the same as my male counterparts. We can’t talk a certain way, move a certain way, and I’m supposed to be dressing a certain way. I’ve been told this multiple times,” Mondelus said.
“It’s more difficult than I thought it was going to be trying to get people to want to follow my lead,” May said.
“You have to put extra effort in to get people to listen … It’s a misconception that women lead by emotion and not logic,” Appiah said.
Despite such challenges, these young women are determined to make an impact. By the end of their term, Mondelus, May and Appiah hope to restore the “messy” and “unorganized” reputation of SGA.
They are working on a variety of engagements to improve internal and external transparency, accessibility and professionalism. With that, they have charged the student body with becoming more involved in the democracy and given advice to ensure collaboration.
- Get to know your SGA representatives by attending SGA-sponsored events.
- Use your representative(s) as a resource and megaphone. Email them or visit them in the SGA building during office hours.
- Attend Senate meetings for a better understanding of what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t have a pleasant experience with one student leader. Report them and find another representative to speak with.
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Follow @mondelusxfrancis, @famusga1887 and @famusenate @famujudicialbranch on Instagram for quicker communication regarding SGA news and events.
Mondelus, May and Appiah welcome all to the 2023 Inauguration. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Friday in the Grand Ballroom.