Amid Women’s History Month celebrations across campus, Columbia’s XA Chi Alpha chapter hosted a discussion exploring what it means to be a woman of God in today’s world.
Sitting on stage, President Yemima Kebede, a senior creative writing major, asked the crowd gathered at The Hive on Monday, March 17, “What does it mean to be a woman?”
Audience responses flowed: “Fearlessness,” “Strength,” “Pain,” “Perseverance,” “Deep love.” The conversation quickly deepened as participants shared the difficulties of maintaining their faith in college, their personal journeys within their faith and lessons learned along the way.
“I used to believe that being a woman meant being less than,” Kebede said to the audience, her words resonating with the nodding heads of many present.
Chi Alpha, a network of Christian ministries on college campuses, is sponsored by the Assemblies of God USA, a Pentecostal denomination established after separating from the historically African American Church of God in Christ in 1914.
The event opened with a prayer circle, setting a tone of reverence and community that would characterize the evening’s proceedings. Kebede welcomed attendees, emphasizing that the space was safe for authentic sharing and vulnerable expression.
Jayla Forest, a senior music major and vice president of Columbia’s XA chapter, played a key role in organizing this empowerment-focused event for women on campus.
Forest said that the program was structured into three distinct segments: navigating Christian womanhood during college years, exploring female figures in biblical texts and understanding biblical perspectives on femininity. She noted that these selected topics aimed to help women feel empowered about themselves and their faith.
God has placed a calling on each and every one of our lives and we’re all here for a reason, so don’t count or sell yourself short like society tries to do women because we all have a huge purpose,” she said.
Attendees engaged in small group conversations to discussion prompts and shared their personal reflections. These discussions were later shared with the larger group, with participants offering various perspectives.
Member of Columbia XA and junior film and television major, Amaris Echenique, said these events mean a lot to her especially in terms of increasing her faith and confidence in her identity.
“I just love what they’re doing on campus and how they’re impacting me as an individual and artist. I’m excited to hear about how we can be built up as women, especially with it being Women’s History Month,” Echenique said.
The evening also included biblical discussions, with participants examining stories of women from scripture, including what was described as “overlooked women” in biblical texts. One such figure mentioned was Moses’ mother from the Book of Exodus.
Forest highlighted the importance of celebrating women in the Bible, explaining how looking back at these powerful female figures can bring strength and encouragement to women today.
“People mostly talk about are usually men and sometimes they forget like the women that the Lord talked about in the Bible were important roles and factors,” Forest said. “We wanted to create an event that catered towards that and encouraged women in who they are in Christ.”
Conversations throughout the event touched on themes of self-identity, personal sacrifices, growth through discomfort and practical aspects of faith application in daily life.
During the event, Danetra Thomas, a first-year dance major, shared her personal stories from her college journey with the audience. Her authentic experiences resonated deeply with attendees, who responded with knowing nods and appreciative laughter throughout her presentation.
Thomas said she did not want the audience to feel alone in their struggle.
“Sometimes, it’s probably the hardest thing on the earth. So just showing it like you’re not alone, this is my process, and I can pick you up as I’m trying to pick myself up and go on with you,” Thomas said.
Omariona McClennon, also a first-year dance major, valued the supportive environment that allowed for honest conversation, particularly when sharing about daily challenges.
“I love that I can express my struggles and show people here that you don’t have to give up because one little thing happened. The Lord loves you either way, but as long as you try, he doesn’t want you to be perfect,” McClennon said.
Thomas echoed a similar sentiment of resilience, embracing both the love and struggle she finds in being a woman of faith.
“Being a woman of God means love, like the Holy Spirit, like the Lord. It definitely means struggle, not gonna lie, but the Lord showed me so much love, true love,” Thomas said.
Copy edited by Manuel Nocera
Resumen en Español:
Durante el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer, el capítulo XA Chi Alpha de Columbia organizó una discusión que exploró lo que significa ser una mujer de Dios en el mundo de hoy.
Chi Alpha, una red de ministerios cristianos en los campus universitarios, está patrocinada por las Asambleas de Dios USA, una denominación pentecostal establecida después de separarse de la Iglesia de Dios en Cristo históricamente afroamericana en 1914.
El evento comenzó con un círculo de oración, estableciendo un tono de reverencia y comunidad que caracterizaría los procedimientos de la noche. Kebede dio la bienvenida a los asistentes, enfatizando que el espacio era seguro para compartir auténticamente y ser vulnerables.
Resumen por Araceli Ramirez
Texto editado por Doreen Abril Albuerne Rodriguez
