A Video Welcome to WAAD

An email from the WAAD Board will be on its way to our members shortly.  In the meantime, encourage every WAAD member you know to update her contact information at the Wellesley Alumnae Association website.  Our goal is to reach every alumna, wherever she is, and you can help us achieve that goal! 

The Importance of Identification

One of the most daunting tasks facing the WAAD Board is making sure that as many possible of our 1,400+ members are accurately identified so we can connect to them.

If you’ve never visited the Wellesley College Alumnae Association (WCAA) website, you can register here.

Or, if you can’t remember the last time you visited the WCAA website’s "My Directory Listing" page, please take a moment to do so now. This is the first step in making sure WAAD will be able to connect with you. Once you’ve checked to see your contact information is updated (wow, has it really been since June of 2001 that you checked your information?!), scroll all the way down to the bottom of your directory page. There you’ll see the box headed ‘Miscellaneous’:

As shown above, the ‘Ethnicity’ category should be there. If there’s nothing listed, use the ‘click to update’ button to choose an identification category. Click ‘update’ on the Ethnicity screen, and you’re done. Doing this ensures you’ll receive all WAAD communications, both online (assuming you’ve updated your current email address) and via postal mail.

Look for an email from the WAAD Board this month, and please pass this information along to all WAAD members you know.

Thanks.

Welcome to WAAD!

The WAAD inaugural Board officers pose with three members of the WAAD Founding Committee on campus at Alumnae Leadership Council, October 17, 2010. Back row, from left: Novella Brady '98, Treasurer; Cheryl Holland '77, VP for Programs; Michelle Davis Petelinz '78, VP for Communications; Patricia Mell Ragland '75, President; Angela Norton Tyler '88, VP for Membership; Kendall Alexander '08, Secretary. Front row: Charlayne Murrell-Smith '73, Karen Williamson '69, Ruth Goins '80

Welcome to the first post of the Wellesley Alumnae of African Descent blog!  We’re so happy you’ve found us.  We, the inaugural Board officers, welcome information from all of our members to share on this forum, and we’re excited to embark upon this journey of reconnection with you.

What is WAAD? 
First, you should know it’s pronounced “wade,” because anything else sounded too weird. WAAD is the first affinity, or special interest group of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association (WCAA).  In early 2009, Karen Williamson ’69 was asked to lead the effort to form this group, and now, after 18 months of work by the dedicated Founding Committee and WCAA staff, WAAD is a reality.


Leadership
An inaugural Board was voted upon by the membership, and took office on September 1, 2010.  The Board consists of the officers pictured above, and six regional representatives:  New England: Gail Rock ’95, Northeast: Anna Johnson ’02, Mid-Atlantic: Tania Peters ’95, South: Brooke Richardson ’03, Central: Lori Nuckolls ’82, and West:  Karen Grigsby-Bates ’73.


Purpose
The purpose of WAAD is to strengthen our connections with each other, with the College, and with current and prospective students.  WAAD is intended to supplement, not replace, our connections to our classes and local clubs.MembershipUpon graduation, any alumna of African descent is a member of WAAD, unless she requests not to be a member.  Alumna not of African descent may become a member upon request to the Board.  There are no dues at this time. However, WAAD must be self-supporting; at some point, WAAD members may be asked for funds to support the organization’s activities.


What’s Next?
Coming soon will be a communication from the Board, requesting that all members update their contact information with the Alumnae Association.  But, you don’t have to wait!  Please visit the WCAA site, find your entry in the directory, and be sure it lists your current contact information.  Once you’ve done this, you’ll be assured of receiving all WAAD correspondence, both online and via mail. The Board is excited to be working on a variety of ideas for programs and events, all geared to strengthen current connections and forge new ones, and we need YOU to come be a part of this journey. 


How can I help?
Make a comment below, and tell us what you think, and give us ideas for programs and events.
Forward the URL for this blog to WAAD friends.
Visit our Facebook Page, become a member, and encourage your WAAD friends to do so, too.
Respond positively when your Regional Rep contacts you and asks for help; any amount of time and committement is welcome!
Thanks, and we look forward to working with you!