Jonai Keys, Class of 2029 - Attending events (lectures, workshops, social gatherings): Alumnae Speaker Series - Stacery Abrams (3 points)

I attended an Alumnae Speaker Series event held in Sister's Chapel, which featured a spoken panel hosted by SGA President Cori’Anna White for renowned alumna Stacey Abrams. Throughout the discussion, Stacey Abrams shared powerful lessons about leadership, service, and perseverance that deeply resonated with me.

One of the most impactful ideas she shared was that holding a position does not automatically mean holding power. She emphasized that not winning should never stop someone from continuing their mission, and that progress still matters even when the outcome is not everything you hoped for. She reminded us not to let anyone diminish what we did accomplish just because we didn’t win everything. This reframed failure as part of growth rather than an endpoint.

She also spoke about the importance of speaking up, even when the person you are addressing has more power than you. Another message that stood out to me was about visibility—how we sometimes wait for an invitation to fully show ourselves, when often we are already allowed in those spaces. She encouraged confidence without arrogance and challenged us to “find the gaps,” meaning to identify where systems fall short and where our voices and service are most needed.

This conversation left me thinking deeply about the question: For students who want to serve but feel discouraged by political or social systems, where do our efforts matter most right now? The event reminded me that service doesn’t always mean winning elections or holding titles. It can start with finding the courage to use your voice and continuing to show up, even when the system feels discouraging.

- Jonai Keys, Class of 2029