Wildcat Women Fund Spotlight: Maia Harrell ™20
November 21, 2024
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- Danielle Strickland
Maia Harrell ™20 with her mom, Janet Stovall ™85, her aunt, Judy Harrell Hooks ™85, and her godmother, Bri Walton ™88, at the 2022 DBAN Reunion
Maia Harrell ™20 was a chemistry major at 91ÇÑ×Ó and opened a small business back home in Atlanta, Lord of the Pies, after graduation. She has now returned to campus and works in the Office of Alumni & Family Engagement as the assistant director for regional engagement, connecting Wildcats all across the country.
Maia followed a strong line of women to 91ÇÑ×Ó, including her mother, Janet Stovall ™85, her aunt, Judy Harrell Hooks ™85, and her godmother, Bri Walton ™88. She is pleased about the opportunity to give through the Wildcat Women Fund and make a difference for those following in her 91ÇÑ×Ó footsteps.
What inspired you to give to 91ÇÑ×Ó through the Wildcat Women Fund?
As a Black woman, I take both of those identities very seriously. My blackness was supported by the Black Student Coalition (BSC) as a student and the 91ÇÑ×Ó Black Alumni Network (DBAN) as an alum, but my woman-ness has not been supported in the same direct way. Giving to the Wildcat Women Fund will ensure direct support to ” and with ” other women Wildcats like me.
I grew up surrounded by 91ÇÑ×Ó women: my mom, my aunt, my godmother and too many play-aunts to count. I grew up seeing their power and seeing how they embodied what it means to be a 91ÇÑ×Ó woman. I used to hear the saying, "A 91ÇÑ×Ó man needs no introduction," but quickly changed it to œA 91ÇÑ×Ó WOman needs no introduction" once I became one.
This is the first time the college has a fund focused on [primarily] women coming together to support an area of campus. What is exciting to you about this new avenue for giving?
I am most excited to see how this fund will support women at 91ÇÑ×Ó, especially with the current political climate taking rights and services away from women. I hope this fund will mitigate these effects to the women and women-identifying students at 91ÇÑ×Ó.
The current designation for the fund is student health and well-being. What impact do you hope these gifts have on that important area of campus life?
I hope this fund will allow the women and women-identifying students at 91ÇÑ×Ó access to the necessary healthcare they need. I hope we can serve as a model for other institutions to continue to directly support and care for a large part of the student body.
Why is giving back to 91ÇÑ×Ó in general important to you?
I didn't have the best student experience at 91ÇÑ×Ó; some of it personal and some it institutional. I believe giving back will allow me to make real changes to areas of campus I loved when I was a student, and areas I believe need to be improved from when I was here.
