Good Afternoon!
My name is Princess Jefferson and I am a Senior, Political Science Major and Education Minor at Bryn Mawr College.
My Bryn Mawr experience has truly been one of growth, reflection, and most importantly, one of awareness. While at Bryn Mawr I have had the opportunity to meet some phenomenal people that will forever have a place in my heart. Further, I have also worked to bring about changes that promote equity, inclusion, and accessibility for all who attend. For example, during my time at Bryn Mawr I have worked as part of a coalition to reform a previously poor financial aid policy, led a diversity initiative within the Career Office, worked to help establish a social justice framework for the college's Civic Engagement office, and added to the growing conversation on how to make Bryn Mawr a better place for all students of color.
While I have poured into Bryn Mawr, I cannot help but reflect on all the ways that Bryn Mawr has poured into me. During my time at Bryn Mawr I have been blessed to find my voice, my purpose, and most importantly I have embarked on a mission to become the best version of myself. When I think about all those who have helped make this journey possible I first have to thank God, for allowing me to be chosen as a Houston Posse Scholar, and then my family for trusting me to travel so far away from home to do what many in my family have not yet done, which is graduate from college. Additionally many others have added to my Bryn Mawr experience, such as my Posse mentor Alice Lesnick who helped make this journey just what I needed it to be.
The biggest piece of gratitude that I extend to the college, is to the Deans Office for granting me the opportunity to spend a year at Spelman College under both institution's domestic exchange program. While there I was a member of the President's Reading Circle, wrote an Amicus Curiae Brief in support of a man that has been wrongly convicted for 22 years, graduated from the Spelman Women Empowered Through Professional Development Course, and became the first Black female to compete on the previously all-male moot court team at Morehouse College.
Bryn Mawr, there are no words to express the sentiment and gratitude that I feel for you all giving me a platform to challenge the status quo and use my voice to influence systems of change, and for believing in me, even when I did not always believe in myself. Through Bryn Mawr and my experiences here I have found myself and work everyday to become the influential, societal change-maker, that I strive to be.
Upon completion of my undergraduate career this May, I am happy to announce that I will be joining the American Constitution Society, the nation’s leading progressive legal organization as their Chapters Fellow. At the conclusion of this yearlong fellowship I intend to go to law school and continue to build upon my dreams of bridging the gaps between the availability of resources and underserved groups in America.
If I could leave any words of wisdom for the incoming classes after me it would be-
"Never allow anyone else's no for you, to become the yes that you create for yourself. Many people do not harbor the vision for where your life will take you, but often times this is not for everyone to see. Take life one day at a time, and allow the specks of your legacy to be the unwritten message for all to see."
Members of the Class of 2020, we want to hear from you! Drop us a note at news@brynmawr.edu. Include a photo of yourself and let us know what you have planned for life after Bryn Mawr, who you'd like to thank, words of wisdom, or whatever else you'd like to say. We'll be sharing selected profiles on the College's website and social media channels over the next few weeks.