A LeadHER's Story: Making History & Overcoming Adversity

On March 29th, 2022, in partnership with Howard University Student Association, The Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership hosted A LeaderHER’s Story: Making History & Overcoming Adversity. The panel featured Alana Thomas, HU’s 61st administration executive Vice President and School of Communications Senior, A’Maiya Allen HU’s 61st administration public relations director, Allyson Smith, Student activist, and creative Honors Political Science Junior and moderated by  HUSA’s special program & projects co-director Nayila Moore.

In honor of Women’s History Month, it is only right to acknowledge the struggles and hardships that women of excellence and success face on a journey of becoming. The main topic of the evening was the struggle of Imposter Syndrome, the intense feeling of self-doubt and incompetence despite one’s ostensive achievements. As Howard University has historically been a place of cultivation and beginnings for successful women, coming together to confront Imposter syndrome and understanding that the students and the women of HU are deserving of their place at Howard University and beyond despite self-doubt. 

Ms.Moore began by asking the panelist what they thought of Imposter syndrome and if they experienced it in which all of the panelists agreed to experience Imposter Syndrome, even in their respective positions in student government. Yet, emphasized by Allyson Smith, imposter syndrome to her is simply the racism and sexism that plagues the spaces, black women hold potential to thrive in and we have to first acknowledge this to push forward. From there, panelists A’Maiya Allen and Alana Thomas built on this by explaining how comparison amongst peers can be another source of self-doubt, especially in the space of HBCUs, they shared that focusing on themselves and affirming their worth has helped them deal with these feelings.

The conversation came to a close with questions from the audience on what exactly the panel has done to further combat imposter syndrome to which a consensus on the importance of therapy as a tool was made. Ending on the point of making mental health a priority in both becoming a leader and believing in yourself. 

Openly and authentically, these student leaders spoke on their individual experiences with imposter syndrome at both Howard University and their external endeavors varying from interning at Capitol Hill as a black woman to pageantry in the south as a black girl. The discussion served as guidance to fellow students in dealing with feelings of inadequacy and fraudulence, providing wholesome advice and stories in each thorough response and series of dialogue. 

The Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership is honored to have hosted such an inspirational conversation to end our celebration of Women’s History Month 2022. The center is grateful to Alana Thomas, A’Maiya Allen, and Allyson Smith for their participation in the panel and to HUSA for organizing this event.