Woman of the Week (WoW): Ebyan Abshir

Jackson Giammattei, Staff Writer

Nominated by: Elena Montoya

Nomination: Ebyan is one of the hardest working people I know, and possesses all of the qualities of a strong leader. She is thoughtful, hardworking, caring, and is always putting others before herself for the betterment of the clubs and organizations she is a part of. Her drive and determination are incredible admirable, and she is one of the the loveliest people you’ll meet on this campus.

What are your proudest accomplishments?

I’m proud of my Van Orden Prize award I won my first-year at Union. I was proud of how much effort I put into my work, but also of how it reflected my transition into college-level writing. I felt I was starting to grow as a writer and as a person, and even with that progress, I still see plenty of growth with my future at Union.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about service and making a change wherever I can. By working as a STEP tutor, Writing Center mentor, BSU treasurer, and more, I’m happy to help and be an active member of the college campus and Schenectady community.

Who do you look up to?

I look up to my dad and how he dedicates himself to his family and his work. He never fails to teach me (and reiterate to me) the value of hard work and dedication. I couldn’t imagine my life without him or who I would be as a person. He has shaped my character and inspires me to be just like him in all aspects of life.

What does being a woman at Union mean to you?

Being a woman at Union means being resilient. As a black woman, I do my best to ensure my perspective is heard, appreciated, and respected. While there is a small population of black women at Union, I’m happy to be a part of a supportive network of passionate young women that makes me feel connected to something even bigger.

How do you think Union can do a better job at supporting women on our campus?

I think Union could provide one day out of the week or one hour each day dedicated to having the gym open only for women. There has and always will be a culture surrounding the gym that does not make women feel respected or even safe on campus. This might be difficult to achieve but it would definitely be beneficial to plenty of women I know.