Mothers of the Mecca Launch

“I know that it has not been easy as I have tried to navigate the challenges of juggling my career and motherhood. And I fully admit that I did not always get the balance right. But I hope that you can see that with hard work, determination and love, it can be done.” 

~ Hon. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

In her opening statements earlier this week, the Honorable Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson addressed the nation by beginning with where many women begin, with her family. While she thanked her family for their support in a heartfelt message, she also touched on the difficulties in managing career and parenthood and reminded families across the country of the sacrifice that happens when women juggle their professional careers and identities as mothers. 

Howard University and The Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership have launched Mothers of the Mecca, a student-led organization and research initiative. The mission of Mothers of the Mecca is to reimagine the stigmas associated with parenthood when we are wearing multiple professional hats and instill pride and community around parenting at Howard Univerity. In our research efforts, we aim to capture the student, faculty, and staff parent population as well as the experiences and needs of the community. We celebrate Judge Brown Jackson’s historical and monumental nomination to the United States Supreme Court and the revitalized discussion around parenting.

On March 24th, 2022 Dr. Jarpa Dawuni, Director of The Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership hosted a Launch of the Mothers of the Mecca, along with the Faculty Advisors for the organization, Dr. Bahiyyah Muhammad and Dr. Nicole Jenkins. The organization is seeking HU students, faculty, staff, and alumni interested in community, resources, and research around parenting.

 

If you are interested in joining or learning more about the organization, please email the Faculty Advisors or use this link.