University of Maryland Eastern Shore students Masarrah McDade and Madison Abdus-Sabur organized the 100 Women in Heels empowerment march held on March 26. The event brought together more than 100 women, including students, alumni, faculty, and staff, who walked across campus from the Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts to the Student Services Center Theater.
The purpose of the march was to promote empowerment and recognition among women at UMES. Participants wore professional attire and heels as a symbol of strength and unity.
McDade said she was inspired by a previous event called 100 Men in Suits that focused on men’s mental health. “When I think of heels, I think of empowerment, being able to push through the pain, and how pressure creates diamonds,” McDade said. She added that many clubs on campus are led by women whose contributions often go unrecognized: “Women have run UMES since we were founded in 1886, so I am really happy to give this to all the trailblazers.”
Latoya Jenkins, Chief of Staff and Vice President of Presidential Strategy at UMES, commented on student engagement: “Our student leaders truly have a voice here on campus. Being able to see them lead in the classroom and advocate for student needs out of it showcases what can be done when they collaborate with campus partners and the administration.”
Senior Sydney Rutledge-Smith participated in the march because she felt it was important to recognize women’s achievements at an HBCU: “A lot of women on this campus are making history just being part of an HBCU campus,” Rutledge-Smith said. “We have so many women doing amazing things here, and I wanted to be part of this movement as a woman who has found her place and is growing into womanhood.”
Reflecting on the turnout for the event, McDade described her feelings about seeing so many participants: “The energy was amazing. I feel at my most comfortable when I am around women and this was a beautiful scene,” she said. “Being able to come together to support other women – friends, sisters, cousins – it’s the most powerful thing. When are able to come together, we can be a force to be reckoned with.”
