Woman of Standard > Nancy J. Nelson, Ph.D.
What prompted you to go natural and stay natural? Did the decision to go natural impact other aspects The program is not set up for students to register
of your life? How? to participate. Many students from several ethnic
As a child and youth my mother did not allow me to
backgrounds use our facilities and take courses. Our
straighten my hair. I was envious of my older sisters Since I was raised to “leave my hair alone” there really
courses have very high enrollments.
who spent Sunday evenings pulling the sizzling hot hasn’t been much impact except learning to accept my
comb through each others’ hair. My hair stayed in a hair myself. My life is much easier since I no longer What are your professional goals for the program?
ponytail until I graduated from high school and was need two hours to wash, straighten, and curl my hair,
allowed to wear and Afro. (My father disliked Afros.) or a half hour in the mornings to style it. (It was in a
My goal for the program is to become a department
Later I made my first trip to a beauty parlor for a ponytail most of the time.) I also no longer have to
with a major in Africana Studies. I also want to
relaxer. For the first time my father complimented worry about being caught in the rain!
increase the enrollment of students of African
my hair. The touch-up was left on to long leaving
descent at the University, increase support services,
me with oozing sores on my head. My hair was cut
Please tell us about the program? and develop an alumni association.
for the first time. Partying on dance floors during
The Africana Education Program began in 1971 as the How has the program been received by students?
the disco era began 10 years of short hair as my the
Black Education Program by students members of the colleagues?
smoke and sweat needed to be washed out of my
Black Student Union. The students felt their needs were
hair each night. I would periodically grow it out but
not being met on the predominately white campus. This
The program has established itself as a viable part
always ended up cutting it again. I love short hair
was also during the time such programs and centers
of the University. There have been many steps,
on women of African Descent. A colleague shaves
were being developed on many campuses that opened
challenges, and successes along the way. The
her head and I think she looks so regal.
their doors to African American students.
program is here to stay, hopefully as a department.
How was this decision received by family, peers,
The primary mission of the Africana Education
What do you want students to walk away with after
others?
Program is to develop and teach classes in Africana
going through this program?
My mother has never even trimmed her hair and
Studies, administer recruiting, support and retention
Students find a home-away-from-home to support
always wears it natural. She taught us pride in our
services, conduct research into the African/American
them through their time at the University. We
hair. I have five sisters and several nieces with all
experience and maintain relationships within a
continue to provide support as they transition into
different hair textures; some straighten theirs and
multitude of communities throughout the inland
jobs and/or graduate school. My favorite is when
some don’t. My mother would probably prefer I wear
northwest. All courses, services and events provided by
they return to show us their babies which shows we
mine longer, however my natural hair has always
the program are open to all students at EWU.
are indeed thought of as family.
been accepted. We are allowed our personal choice.
Africana Studies courses are designed to provide
What impact do you think this program has on men
What/who was your support system, during your
understanding and appreciation of the universal
& women of color?
transition? now?
African/American experience both as it has unfolded
over time and as it is currently manifested. The Program
I have watched students excel in their studies and
My friends and co-workers complement me on my uses the Afrocentric world view as the philosophical
grow into remarkable men and women. Many have
hair saying they prefer it short and natural. I was basis for the presentation of its courses. Africana
gone on the graduate school and still others earned
surprised that men like my hair short and encourage Education Program cross-lists with some courses
their Ph.D. One student called our office the Mother
me to keep it so. One day I wore a wig to work and offered through other EWU colleges.
Land. I think that says it all.
was told to “get that thing off your head.” I also
had to put it away because they didn’t want to see
Support Services for Africana Education Program:
What impact has it had on the community at large?
it on my desk!
The Africana Education Program provides academic
We are very active in the community. The clubs
and non-academic support services for students.
and organizations led by students of color provide a
Did you find natural hair care products readily These include academic advising, peer mentoring,
great deal of volunteer service. We provide resources
available, if not what did you do? and assistance with locating tutoring services,
and connections for the community and participate
scholarships and scholarship information. The Africana
I have moved a lot around the country. In places with
in community events. Each spring our students put
Education Program assists students, faculty and
African American populations finding products was
on the Keeping the Dream Block Party in Cheney
staff in understanding African/American culture and
been easy. At Eastern Washington University our
which includes free food, entertainment, and games
issues. The Program sponsors speakers and events
program buts together a resource book every year so
for all ages. The students raise the funds and do all
and recognizes national African American holidays. It
students know where to buy products. I also spoke
the work so I just sit back and enjoy myself.
also serves as a link with the Spokane/Cheney African/
to the Cheney Kiwanis expressing the lack of hair
American community. Any last words?
products in Cheney. A drugstore owner said to give
him a list and he would keep them in stock. I just How many students have gone through the program I have the best job in the world.
use a comb and oil so it’s not difficult for me now. so far?
Continued from page 22
healthy. The pictures in this article show you a effort to take in 60 to 80 oz of water throughout intake of food in conjunction with the water and how
sense of what it was like for me as a kid.. and at the day-document for yourself the following areas; it creates the opportunity for your body to be cleansed
different times throughout adulthood.. of being daily and properly hydrated. You can reach me anytime
chubby/fat and now trim and in shape.
a. How did you sleep improve?
through the magazine. I welcome any and all feedback
b. How was your digestive system?
on how to better serve you as a reader! Thank-you again.
7. IN closing for this time I want to provide you c. What was your energy level like?
with a challenge, for the next 2 weeks drink 10 d. Did you find that your appetite was curbed and
oz of water w/in 10 mins of waking up and then that you weren’t over eating?
drink 10 oz 30 minutes prior to going to bed,
throughout the day sip on water and make an
Thank you for reading my article. I look forward to sharing
a positive change in your health and fitness. In our next
article, we will dig into the importance of tapering your
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2  NAPTURAL ROOTS  23
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