Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Men's blazer doubled as overcoats on •mall women like Whitney Ynung. The oversized sweaters paired with leans worn by Sherri White and Lisa Prcsha were common to both men and women. Aisha Karefa-Smart's choice of pale pink blouse and socks brought out the frminin-ity her androgynous slylr nf dressing concealed. Androgenous Fashion 13

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Androgynous Fashions Toses the Question 3 it a Man ora Woman Is it for girls or is it for guys? With androgynous fashions making their way on campus, that question was to tally outdated. Designers were creating clothes with no particular sexual specification. It was no longer an oddity for a female to know that in women's shoos she wore an 8 and in men's, a size 6. This new wave of liberal dressing allowed for trend-setting creativity. It allowed for the boldness to make an individual statement beyond traditional boundaries. College sludonts have had a reputation of boing trendy and fashionable, thus making the college campus an ideal setting for observing new tronds. Collogiato women found it more fashionable to dress in a non-traditional style. They wore pantsuits with squared, padded shoulders in jackets that were once reserved strictly for gentlemon. Stepping into masculine styles with feminine charm was also noticed in shoes that women wore. Anything from square-heeled, lace up dress shoes to high-top, athletic sneakers were now acceptable attire for women. Suspenders, ties, and hats have crossed over to help accessorize the new fashions. Tina Scotts, on 18 year old Prc phormocy major from Virginia, explains. I sometimes buy clothes from tho men’s department becauso their clothes are a lot more comfortable. I think androgynous dressing has become so popular because the 80's has proven to be the era for more aggression in women. We aren't expected to always be seen and not heard. We don't havo to just look pretty for the guys. We have entered a period for general role switching in the home and on the job. So why not in the way we dress? Tho men on tho college campus were also breakng away from the old standards as well. No longer were they confined to the tedium of drab colors such as grays, browns, and black Now men are demanded attention and caused heads to turn as they “sported red. yellow, orange, and bright blue. For calmer moods pastels were ideal for guys. Tight stirrup pants, a recent comeback for women, were now being worn by men. A major addition, formally considered a practicality for ladies only, was the designer tote bag. Accessories added to these new styles for men were brooches, gold and silver chains, as well as the single carring-studs and even hoops! Richard Glass, a junior majoring in English, feels that. “Women are attracted to men who are different. It’s nice to do something or wear something that makes you stand out from other men.” As women fought for equality in society and in their careers, men joined the struggle for fashion equality as well. Daring originality said a lot for the person who tried to be distinctly different. It distinguished him or her as an individual. There was no better way to make this declaration than through daily styles of dressing. by Sherri Milner Layout by Lesa Walker K I r«rfhrltrr The bloufty. bright coat and rolled up pants added a touch ol whimsy to Ron Higgins' outfit. Sandi Morgan and David Folhegill disput'd sexual clolhinj; as they strolled across campus in similar outfits 12 Androgenous Fashion

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The need to recognize achievements prompted the a lute to Black Women And they ask. who are we? On Sunday. November 23. in the Blackburn Center Ballroom, all present were able to soo who we were and what we represented For the 6th Annual Salute to Black Women, there were eight representatives honored, but only five were present. The list of honorees were as follows: Dr Edith Irby Jones. M.D.. Immediate-Past President of the National Medical Association. Mrs. Hilda H.M. Mason. D.C. Council member at Large. Ms. Toni Y. Luck. President of Amber Crain. Dr. Florctta D. McKenzie. Superintendent of D.C. Public Schools. Mrs. Patricia Russeli-McCloud. Esq.. President of Russell-McCloud and Associates. Ms. Fay Wattleton. President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Dr. Jacqueline C Hayward. Co-Anchor WUSA News, and Dr. Jayne C. Williams. Editor of the A.M.E. Review. Dr. Hayward. Ms Wattleton. and Dr. McKenzie were in absentia Introduced by a different officer of the Undergraduate Student Assembly, each honorue received a plaque engraved with acknowledgements and appreciation for being outstanding in her particular field. Said Erica Motley. UGSA Coordinator. The main objective was to bring us closer to the community by recognizing prominent Black women. It was also a way for students to show these women how much we appreciate them making a path for us to follow. The banquet was indeed a good way to show our gratitude, but a one day affair was limiting. So for the first time in its six year history, the salute was made into a conference which began on Saturday. Nov. 22. There were two panel discussions held; they were entitled Managing Porsonal Objectives: The Career vs The Family and The Final Step to Success-Giving Back. In the first discussion. which began at 2:00pm in the Blackburn Auditorium, the popular phrase Having it all. was frequently broached, as young collogc females wondered how they could manage a career and family simultaneously. In the second forum which began at 3:40 in the Auditorium, the prevention of gentrification. homelessness, and hunger were the broad topics which received opinions and suggestions from both the panel and the audience. This student-panel interaction bene-fitted all involved as varied viewpoints provided insight as to how to solve the problems that were addressed. This exchanging of ideas was. according to Motley, the reasoning behind expanding the Banquet into a conference. By expanding the weekend, the students were able to mix with the honorees. hear their views and make valuable contacts. The Banquet was still, however, the highlight of the weekend; and the keynote speaker. Mrs. Russell-McCloud. Esq., did not disappoint the audience as she used her acclaimed oratorical skills to oxcito and stimulate the audience. Her spoech reflected her committment to help Blacks organize. She is a member of the NAACP. the National Urban League, the National Bar Assoc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Inc; and in May of 1980. her speech If Not-You-Who? If Not Now-When? was entered into the Congressional Record of the United Stales. Devoid of her many accolades. McCloud was still a Black woman with an alarming question, which needed no answer: And they ask. who are we?” This was the thomoof hor introduction. She continually answered it with Black men and women who had achieved gains in society that whites took advantage of or did not acknowledge. She used her fellow panelists as examples of what a strong desire for Black unity, hard work and dedication could do. At literally five minute intervals, she received a standing ovation During her speech, she emphasized that the students were the backbone of our progress and existence. and “if you can get a C. then you can see your way clear to get an A. Never settle for less than the best and if everyone does his part, then everyone will know who wo are.” Television anchors. Presidents of corporations. Council members. Editors If nothing else, this weekend answered that question conclusively, leaving no doubts in the minds of the ignorant. Who arc we? ... Who are we. indeed by Mignon McLemore The keynote speaker. Patricia Kussell-McCloud. Esq., captivates the audience immediately by asking. And they ask. who arc wc? During her acceptance speech. Dr. Florelta McKenzie stresses the importance of studying hard and acquiring as much knowledge as possible to enhance one's chance in the work force. Dr. Edith Irby Jones informs the students of the importance of holding offices with power so effective changes can he made. 14 Salute to Black Women