Spelman Independent Scholars

Docile, creepy, perverted, and helpless are words commonly used to describe elders in

today’s society. The rise of commercials, television shows and movies depicting elders as either

crazy or helpless leave them trying to figure out what side of the spectrum they fit on. Most

elders shy away from interactions with the youth because of these media- based stereotypes.

Photo taken in Seoul, South Korea by Shaa Ravine.

Dr. Gloria Wade Gayles, a professor at Spelman College and founder of Spelman

Independent Scholars Oral Research Project. She has been, dedicated to “connecting the present

with the past” since 2001, is and she’s passionate about creating bonds between millennials and

elders. “S.I.S was created to collect and archive the stories of elder African- American women,”

Dr. Gayles said. “They are important and we need their stories. Students need to understand the

power of oral history and the connection it has with African- American culture,” Dr. Gayles said.

The program enhances students’ critical writing, thinking and reading skills. It also

includes intricate research in griot knowledge. S.I.S scholars have the opportunity to study

abroad in locations like Trinidad, Bahamas and Ghana to learn from and commune with elders.

“Our institutions are known for creating critical thinkers and change makers, but we must

teach them the connections between the past, present and future,” Dr. Gayles said.

Students are assigned “Women of Wisdom,” who are eighty 80 years -old or older to

interview and collect stories from. Students also attend lectures by gerontologists, oral historians,

, and physician-researchers. Consequently, students have written and edited several anthologies,

the most notable one is entitled “Their Memories, Our Treasure.”.

“I’m honored to be a part of S.I.S and share my stories with such bright students,” Harriet

Everett said, an S.I.S “Woman of Wisdom.,” “I am a third- generation W.O. W, . My mother my

mother and sister have also been graced by Gloria Gayles’ dedication to us. I love this program.”

Spelman students and African American elder women gathered around a large table for

an end of semester “Celebration of Elders,” last Saturday, April 23. Each “young scholar” stood

and shared her experience in the program, followed by the elders sharing a brief description of

their lives until everyone at the table has spoken.

The S.I.S classroom located on Clark Atlanta University’s campus is unlike any other

classroom. Students from various majors and classifications gather around a large conference

table once a week for class. Pictures of students and elders overlap covering every inch of the

walls in the “S.I.S Suite.” . There are also hundreds of books stacked around this small space.,

several of which are written by Dr. Gayles, which students can borrow and read for “intellectual stretching.”

“Being a part of S.I.S this semester has been a life- changing experience,” Lauren

Fleming, a Spelman College junior said. “I am more aware of the elders in my community and

abroad. They all play a crucial role, I understand intersectionality through a lens that I have not

thought of before, the lens of age.”

One of the most crucial parts of this project for Dr. Gayles is making sure that each

student forms a relationship with an elder in the community. She believes that these relationships

and conversations are beneficial to both students and elders.

“When students come to interview me I never know what I am going to say,” W.O.W,

Mae Smith said. “Each time is a different experience but I always leave feeling refreshed. I

present each scholar with a gift, my stories that will make them think and grow. That is the most

important part.”

Students admit to not realizing how they unknowingly ignore elders in their communities.

Aside from family, many of these students only “engage” with elders by seeing them on some

type of T.V screen or Ad. The closest interaction many students have with elders are laughing at

actresses like Betty White and Tyler Perry’s “Madea.”

“I don’t watch much television these days, ; I get my source of entertainment from my

poetry and writing. ,” W.O.W Helen Belle said. “It stimulates my mind and keeps me active.”

W.O.W Helen Belle said. “Those images in the media are not me and it pains me to see them

honestly. It shows me how limited our perspective of older people are. We live in a vain society

and people are terrified of growing old. That’s why we have these images.” she continued She

spoke with frown lines forming on her forehead as she ran her fingers across her tattered poetry

book.

Dr. Gayles plans to renovate and expand S.I.S Oral Research Project next year. She is

determined to keep “Spelmanites” grounded in their history by linking them to the originators,

their elders.

“When you see an older woman dancing, don’t ask why. Dance, too.” – S.I.S proverb

“When you see an older woman dancing, don’t ask why. Dance, too.” – S.I.S proverb