On Monday, March 17, the Greek Senate hosted Queens in Motion in the Miron Student Center (MSC) Room 226. The event was held in honor of Women’s History Month. Queens in Motion presented a panel of women who shared their accomplishments and the obstacles they had to overcome to reach a certain point in their career. 

The women on the panel were Brittany Claybrooks, Melissa Langley, and Crystal A. Orr. Students were invited to ask the women questions about their careers and how they managed to handle the stressors that accompany it.  

Justin Jimerson, an Exercise Science major and junior from Edison stated why he attended the event. 

“I decided to come to Queens in Motion because it is very important to learn about how far black women have come and how powerful they really are.” 

Brittany Claybrooks, an Urban Planning Professional and one of the panelists for Queens in Motion, expressed what she hoped the attendees would learn from the conversation. 

“I hope that people walk away with understanding that it’s okay to still take up more space and that there’s still work to do...recognizing how important our voices are, as we are, and not waiting until we get to some place in life where we think it becomes better. I want people to understand how important who they are right now is and what their role can be in making a change.” 

Each of the panelists shared that to be a Queen in Motion means being able to help others, be the backbone of your community, and empower others to pursue their dreams. Also, it is not just about yourself. We are supposed to lift others up and surround ourselves with people who are about change. This encourages the generations after us to have confidence in doing the same. 

Keyara Gaillard, a Psychology and Exercise Science major and junior from Jersey City shared her view on the event. 

“I feel like it's important to see black women in this space and lifted up in this light. I just wanted to learn more what they do and just really wanted to get more knowledge on their professions. I want to walk away with more confidence and see how they project it unto us.” 

Based on their experiences and where they are now, the ladies stressed the importance of education and knowing where you want to be. They had moments in their lives where they doubted themselves and questioned their career paths. Looking back, they see that the hard work and dedication was worth it. 

Queens in Motion was an event that fostered great conversation and inspired Kean students to be confident and pursue their dreams. Students walked away knowing that it is about surrounding yourself with mentors and people who are doing positive things and that patience and knowledge are keys to longevity.