Salema Jenkins ’04

My mother could not give birth to all of my sisters. Some of them were waiting to meet me at Wellesley.

My favorite Wellesley tradition remains Flower Sunday. During my sophomore year, I felt anxious about the little sister selection process. Having been an older sister since I was two years old, I take that title seriously. All of my worrying was for nothing. Right before the deadline, two first year students asked me to be their sister. Being chosen affirmed the responsibility and belonging I had always taken seriously.

I have lived in my current city for eleven years and worked intentionally to build community beyond any job or institution. Of all the connections that could have emerged, it was Wellesley alumnae who found me. I think back to the car ride when my father insisted I apply to Wellesley because of the sisterhood. He was right. That sisterhood did not end at graduation. It continues to find me.