Women and men of all races gathered in Lumpkin Hall during “Letters to my little sister” to celebrate and educate the modern woman and the difficulties that they face, especially in sexual health.

Topics that where brought up during the open forum ranged from questions such as “Why do so many women allow men to have unprotected sex with them?” to “Do you think the media portrays an accurate picture of African American women?” to “Where do we go from here?”

A board of panelists, including assistant professor of journalism Janice Collins; assistant professor of English and women’s studies Jeannie Ludlow; minority affairs director Yolanda Williams; and assistant director of student standards Shawn Peoples, guided the discussion that was sponsored by the Health Education Resource Center.

Collins said she was asked to be a panelist and felt that the forum was necessary.

She said she felt that HIV/AIDS is something that needs to be address.

“To get a disease from making love is just tragic,” Collins said.

The forum addressed why so many minority women engage in unprotected sex.

“We don’t have that conversation,” Williams said. “We don’t communicate as women.”

Other topics addressed included how to diminish the myths about African American women.

“You know what the myth is. Why perpetuate it?” Peoples said.

Elizabeth Smith, a senior corporate communication major, said she really enjoyed going to the forum.

“I think this was a wonderful forum. We as women, no matter what race or size, need to encourage each other to be all we can be. Be beautiful, be successful and not to settle for anything else,” Smith said.

The main goal Collins said she wanted to leave the attendees with was empowerment and education.

“I want these women to take away the fact that they are in control of their own bodies,” Collins said, “I think women should have a choice, and women don’t have a choice in college.”

Irvin Jean-Charles, a graduate student, said he attended the forum to listen to women share their experiences.

“I felt like it’s important for African American men to support African American women,” Charles said.

Before the forum ended, Collins had a few parting words for the women in the audience. “Love yourself, respect yourself, and at all times try to be safe,” Collins said.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]