Phenomenal Woman

The Phenomenal Women program honors and celebrates women from all walks of life who have made contributions to diversity in the College of Charleston and Charleston communities. Through the recognition of these contributions, the Phenomenal Women program hopes to inspire others to embrace and promote diversity within their own lives.

Nominee Requirements:

Students

Student nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Possess the following minimum GPA
    • Undergraduate: 2.25
    • Graduate:  3.25
  • Be currently enrolled as a College of Charleston student
  • Serve as a role model for other College of Charleston students
  • Be a champion for diversity

Faculty/Staff, Alumni and Community

Community-at-large, College of Charleston alumni and College of Charleston Faculty/Staff nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Show a demonstrated, profound impact on the lives of others in our community
  • Serve as a role model for others in our community
  • Be a champion for diversity

Phenomenal Woman Award 2020

We are seeking inspiring woman who are considered mentors, connectors and contributors to the well-being of other women in the College of Charleston community. Phenomenal women are those acknowledged in her field for her commitment to excellence, has shown leadership in her actions and achievements and facilitates change. She demonstrates respect for and engagement with her community, fellow students/Faculty/Staff, and the larger College of Charleston community.

Judging Criteria:

The 2020 Phenomenal Women Award recipients will embody these characteristics:

• Vision and Leadership

• Positive Role Model

• Community Service

• Alignment with College of Charleston values

Nominations will be accepted Monday, February 17 through Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the link below:

https://cofc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eQE9TenON9fTQnH

Award Winners will be announced at a special Phenomenal Women's Reception on March 4, 2020, 5:00pm, at the Avery Research Center

Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. 
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size 
But when I start to tell them, 
They think I'm telling lies. 
I say, 
It's in the reach of my arms, 
The span of my hips,    
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.       
I'm a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman, 
That's me.  

I walk into a room                                                            
Just as cool as you please,  
And to a man, 
The fellows stand or 
Fall down on their knees. 
Then they swarm around me, 
A hive of honey bees. 
I say, 
It's the fire in my eyes, 
And the flash of my teeth, 
the swing in my waist, 
And the joy in my feet. 
I'm a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman, 
That's me. 

Men themselves have wondered 
what they see in me. 
They try so much 
But they can't touch 
My inner mystery. 
When I try to show them, 
They say they still can't see. 
I say, 
It's in the arch of my back, 
The sun of my smile, 
The ride of my breasts, 
The grace of my style. 
I'm a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman, 
That's me. 

Now you understand 
just why my head's not bowed. 
I don't shout or jump about 
Or have to talk real loud. 
When you see me passing, 
It ought to make you proud. 
I say, 
It's in the click of my heels, 
The bend of my hair, 
the palm of my hand, 
the need for my care. 
'Cause I'm a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman, 
That's me.