The Daily Mississippian March 23, 2023

MISSISSIPPIAN THE Daily

Women’s History Month Edition

FEATURING

MAYOR TANNEHILL

PAGE 2

BLACK FEMININITY

PAGE 7

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

PAGE 8

‘Mom of the town’: Mayor Robyn Tannehill shares the person behind the politics

TANISSA RINGO

thedmnews@gmail.com

Robyn Tannehill never expected to become a politician — much less a mayor.

“I still wonder how I got here sometimes. I am an accidental politician,” Tannehill said. “I threw my name in the hat because I knew I had ideas that could make my community stronger.”

Tannehill is two years into her second term as the mayor of Oxford, having first stepped

in Oxford,” Tannehill said.

As a newlywed, she soon realized that commission from interior design was not the best option for her family financially.

“I followed another path that led me to the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation and then to the Oxford Tourism Council,” Tannehill said.

After stoking and planning volunteer efforts across the community and chairing a referendum for the Ox

community as a college student, a newlywed, a city employee, a small business owner, a volunteer, a parent, an alderman and now a mayor.”

Tannehill does not regard her campaign for mayor as a struggle but as a challenging and worthwhile process.

“The journey was exhausting at times but rewarding,” Tannehill said.

No matter how invested Tannehill is in the growth of the Oxford community, it is not her top priori

JORDAN ISBELL

The University of Mississippi is no stranger to celebrating national events, and it continues to do so by hosting a seminar called “Pillow Talk: A Conversation on Wellness Women Empowerment.”

Taking place on March 29 in Lamar Hall, room 132, the seminar will last from 6:22 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The starting time represents the founding year- 1922of the host, Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. The event features organizations ESTEEM (Educated, Successful, Talented, Evolving, Empowered and Motivated) and Rebels Against Sexual Assault. The event honors Women’s History Month and focuses on the empowerment, achievements and recognition of women.

Senior Savannah Avery, a criminal justice major, will lead the event and aims for the panel to promote insight on sexual, mental and physical health tips for college students.

“The primary purpose of this event is to support student wellness and promote the wellness of women,” Avery said. “We aim to encourage women and the students who attend to learn and address any concerns they may have about how

Pillow Talk seminar promotes women’s empowerment

to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make informed decisions about their physical, mental, emotional and sexual health.”

Women have endured obstacles and tribulations for decades, and although it has not prevented them from making significant advances in society, it has led to detrimental depictions and cases of discrimination that continue to affect them today. According to a study by the US Office on Women’s Health, 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced a mental health condition.

Avery believes mental health and discrimination among women are prevalent topics that need to be discussed.

“I feel that these are sensitive topics that are very important to the evolution of the overall wellness of women, but they are not addressed as frequently as they should be. I feel there are many controversial stigmas surrounding these topics, but if addressed properly they can provide beneficial information to women who really need it,” Avery said.

The panel also aims to encourage women to be proud and embrace their identities. Many women face several insecurities and believe their limits stem from their gender and identity, but the seminar will provide tips and discussions that will rid the belief that a

woman’s identity is a handicap.

Avery is an adamant supporter of women’s mental health, and she states her natural instincts as a woman to be observant and nurturing are traits that she loves most about herself.

“Most people frown upon being vulnerable, but I believe being empathic is such a powerful gift I have as a woman,” Avery said. “Being able to assess

others’ energy or moods has allowed me to connect with friends or strangers and create a safe space for them to vent or ramble. Those are moments that I cherish forever because you never know what someone is going through, and having that small conversation or interaction could change their day drastically.”

Pillow Talk aims to end Women’s History Month strongly with an authentic discussion of the

importance of women and how they deserve to be treated with respect by others and themselves.

“To anyone who is struggling with having confidence in their identity, remember two things. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and should never compare yourself to anyone. Perfection doesn’t exist, so just be you and embrace the imperfections,” Avery said.

First gen women share their journey to UM

ASHLEY MURRAY

thedmnews@gmail.com

Many feel the pressure at a young age that college is the only option and that not attending will bring you down a dark path. However, that is not the case for many first-generation college women who fought and paved their way to stand where they are today.

First-generation college students come from various backgrounds regarding location, income level and parental support. All these factors reflect how many of these females made it to where they now stand.

Ann Worth Saunders is

a sophomore pursuing a degree in IMC and is the first in her family to attend college.

“The pressure she received to attend a school from her parents was there but not heavily present,” Saunders said.

To get where she stands today, she said she needed grit and determination.

“Growing up, sometimes I would always feel a little out of place,” Saunders said.

With the traditional elementary school, friends would pit against one another and debate about what in-state college they would attend: the University of Tennessee versus Vanderbilt, the University of Florida versus Florida State. The reveries are

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN EDITORIAL staff

RABRIA MOORE editor-in-chief dmeditor@gmail.com

VIOLET JIRA managing editor dmmanaging@gmail.com

ZACH SPOONER copy chief thedmcopy@gmail.com

HAL FOX MARY BOYTE news editors thedmnews@gmail.com

AIDAN GALLARDO sports editor thedmsports@gmail.com

JANE ROB PANNELL assistant sports editor thedmsports@gmail.com

HG BIGGS photo editor thedmphotos@gmail.com

ASHTON SUMMERS assistant photo editor thedmphotos@gmail.com

JUSTICE ROSE opinion editor thedmopinion@gmail.com

KHARLEY REDMON arts and culture editor thedmfeatures@gmail.com

LIZ HAYWOOD online editor

endless and typically reflect whose parents went where.

“I knew as well that I wanted to attend one of these great schools,” Saunders said.

These types of frivolous conversations growing up can put a lot of pressure on a child, causing some to fall and others to rise with hard work ethic.

“I have always enjoyed learning and school, so I knew as long as I continued to work hard in my classes, I would be able to attend an amazing school,” Saunders said.

Valeria San Martin is a sophomore studying for a business degree. San Martin and her sister are the first in their family to attend college.

“I never thought I would

WILL JONES assistant arts and culture editor thedmfeatures@gmail.com

ERIN FOLEY LIBBY FLANAGAN design editors thedmdesign@gmail.com

SAVANNAH SHOOK SEDLEY NORMAND visuals editors thedmvisuals@gmail.com

CAROLINE BEACH social media editor thedmsocialmedia@gmail.com

BRITTANY KOHNE multimedia editor dailymissmedia@gmail.com

be able to attend a big university due to my test scores, but COVID ended up being a huge opportunity for me and allowed me to get into many colleges that I would not have before,” San Martin said.

Proving your worth to your parents can be hard when they typically invest in your future, especially if high school grades are not up to par.

“I originally planned to attend cosmetology school, and my parents fully supported me. However, I knew that I could not afford to pass up this opportunity,” San Martin said. “It took some convincing, but my parents agreed to send me here, with a few ground conditions about my

S. Gale denley student media center

LARZ ROBERTS Director of Student Media

DENNIS MOORE Editorial Director

ROY FROSTENSON

Assistant Director/Advertising

JAYLIN JONES Advertising Sales Manager dmads@olemiss.edu

SALES ACCOUNT

EXECUTIVES

Owen Pustell

grades and academics.”

San Martin has to obtain passing grades in all her classes and prove her hard work; if not, she has to return to Florida.

“These are very fair conditions that my parents set up, and I am so grateful to them both for giving me this opportunity they did not have for themselves,” San Martin said.

Many students faced the opposite pressure and knew they had to attend college with their families setting up prepaid programs and 529 plans.

“Instead of viewing your parents’ pressure as a curse, take it as a blessing that they are investing in you and your future,” Saunders said.

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Arts&Culture

Isabella Scalia shares her experience in STEM

CLAY HALE thedmfeatures@gmail.com

thought of that moment, building it and how much fun I had.”

Before the Madison native found her home at Ole Miss, she promoted her creative ideas to her family in a household “Shark Tank”-style pitch.

“When I was younger, I used to watch a lot of ‘Shark Tank,’ and my parents asked me if I was on ‘Shark Tank,’ what I would present. I ended up coming up with a blueprint, explaining my product to them and being like ‘this is what I would do,’” Scalia said.

Her invention was a new style of trash can that would keep her pet dogs from knocking over the garbage. It would hold a volcanic shape and ideally slide across the floor when the dogs leaned against it.

Although grateful for the experience, Scalia believes it is a rarity for, not just her, but most women to have those engineering opportunities while growing up. Because of this, Scalia fears she may suffer from a tradition-fueled disadvantage, as opposed to her male peers.

“A lot of guys get to learn about cars growing up or fix things with their fathers. As a woman, you don’t get that. And those kinds of skills — those practical skills — are really helpful when it comes to engineering,” Scalia said.

Despite the gender-specific obstacles, Scalia extends gratitude to her male peers and the university for creating an environment where she feels like she is treated as an equal in her field.

feel the need to alter their personalities as those who inspire her the most within STEM regions. She feels that women with all brands of character should be able to present themselves in their true fashion, without judgment.

Though Scalia is studying both mechanical engineering and Chinese, she represents the engineering school in the role of ambassador.

ecoNutrition Café

LECTURE

“I ended up building it with my neighbor. He showed me how to deal with all the metal and build the framework,” Scalia said. “When I was deciding what I wanted to go into, I

Countdown to (Net) Zero:

“At the University of Mississippi, we’re very blessed to have male peers that take us seriously and don’t underestimate us,” Scalia, a sophomore, said. “I’m grateful that I have male peers who respect me and want me to do good things, and I’m grateful to the university for creating that environment.”

Though relieved she studies in supportive surroundings, Scalia cites the women who do not

Scalia started her time as an engineering ambassador in fall 2022, and the position has been a positive, yet time-consuming expansion of her experience at UM. Responsibilities for Scalia include volunteering at the engineering school, tabling at events, participating in questionnaire panels and, ultimately, helping to inform incoming students about the UM engineering school.

After she graduates, Scalia wants to combine her majors in a job that would incorporate her collegiate-learned knowledge on mechanical engineering and Chinese studies.

Scalia offers words of encouragement for prospective students, as she believes that though the work is difficult, it leaves much to celebrate.

Isabella Scalia is a mechanical engineering and Chinese double major.

“Engineering is hard; people will lie to you and say it’s not, but it is very hard. It’s also very rewarding,” Scalia said. “We study the really difficult coursework. We sit through it, because

when you actually do it, it’s amazing to see what you can do.”

Editor’s Note: Isabella Scalia is a former news writer for The DM.

39490 ecoNutrition Café

Presented by Dr. Beth Choate, Allegheny College

Wednesday, March 29

Jackson Avenue Center, Auditorium A 5:30-6:30 p.m. Light refreshments

LECTURE

6:00-7:00 p.m. Presentation

to (Net) Zero:

Leading Sustainability Efforts on My Campus and In My Community to Achieve Carbon Neutrality

Wednesday, March 29

Allegheny College was the first college in Pennsylvania and eighth college in the nation to achieve carbon neutrality. Dr. Choate will share information on the efforts that lead to this designation and how sustainability can be incorporated into college campus environments, thereby developing future leaders in sustainability throughout our communities.

Jackson Avenue Center, Auditorium A 5:30-6:30 p.m. Light refreshments 6:00-7:00 p.m. Presentation

Allegheny College students working in our on-campus garden. The building is a greenhouse with pink solar panels that our students designed. It uses the red light to generate energy and the green light goes to the plants.

Allegheny College was the first college in Pennsylvania and eighth college in the nation to achieve carbon neutrality. Dr. Choate will share information on the efforts that lead to this designation and how sustainability can be incorporated into college campus environments, thereby developing future leaders in sustainability throughout our communities.

Scan here to get more details and register.

Dr. Choate with students checking out some aphids on tomatoes growing in a local greenhouse.

Instructor Allegheny College was the first college in Pennsylvania and eighth college in the nation to achieve carbon neutrality. Dr. Choate will share information on the efforts that lead to this designation and how sustainabil ity can be incorporated into college campus environments, thereby devel oping future leaders in sustainability throughout our communities. Allegheny College students working in our on-campus garden. The building is a greenhouse with pink solar panels that our students designed. It uses the red light to generate energy and the green light goes to the plants.

Countdown to (Net) Zero: Scan here to get more details and register.

Presented by Communiversity in conjunction with the Office of Food and Nutrition Security

Presented by Communiversity in conjunction with the Office of Food and

Security

Isabella Scalia is a woman in STEM. She spends her time at the University of Mississippi studying two areas — mechanical engineering and Chinese.

ASHTON SUMMERS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

UM museums lead the way in female representation

In a field where male dominance has long been the norm, three women are leading the curatorial charge in Oxford’s museums.

Melanie Antonelli and Rosa Salas Gonzalez serve as curator and curator of education, respectively, of the University Museum. Rachel Hudson is assistant curator of Rowan Oak.

Though men historically dominate the museum field, Antonelli and Gonzalez further a lineage of female museum frontrunners in Oxford. Kate Skipwith founded the University Museum (originally the Mary Buie Museum), and the museum has had several female curators and directors in its 84-year history.

Antonelli was named curator in 2018, but being a curator was not her initial aim.

“I took an alternative, though not uncommon, route to curation by starting out as an artist,” Antonelli said.

After Antonelli earned a BFA in Illustrations from Ringling College of Art and Design, she earned a MFA in Studio Art from the University of Mississippi.

While earning her master’s degree, Antontelli began working at the University Museum, where she received broad professional training in museum operations. Since 2013, she has held various roles at the museum.

Although she also serves as registrar and collections manager, being curator is Antonelli’s favorite aspect of her multifaceted job.

“My role as curator is the most rewarding because it allows me to be both creative and analytical,” Antonelli said.

She cited last year’s Jacob Hashimoto exhibition and the reinstallation of the museum’s collection of Greek and Roman antiquities as two of her proudest projects.

Like Antonelli, Gonzalez was an artist before becoming a museum professional. While earning a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Mississippi, the Venezuela native worked as an education intern at the University Museum. That experience prompted her to pursue a master’s degree in teaching from UM’s Teacher Corps, which she completed in 2022.

Shortly after, she joined the museum as its curator of education.

Gonzalez’s job combines education with art creation and public outreach.

“A curator of education has the very special role of creating educational opportunities for our audiences that are free of bias, easily accessible and fun,” she said.

Each week, the University Museum hosts several such programs for a variety of age groups.

Hudson’s curatorial career began after her undergraduate years at the university. After graduating with an English degree in 2017, she worked part-time in visitor

services at Rowan Oak and was hired as assistant curator in 2021. Hudson is only the second woman to occupy a curatorial role at Rowan Oak.

“Apart from myself and Cynthia Shearer, who served as curator from 1994-1999, there haven’t been any other women curators of Rowan Oak,” Hudson said.

Despite few women taking on the official title, Hudson cited the informal curatorial work of UM students.

“Many women graduate students have worked at Rowan Oak over the years and have helped with exhibits, maintenance and visitor services – most everything it takes to be a curator,” she said.

Hudson also noted the challenges of being a woman in a curatorial role.

“To make a long answer short, it can be challenging. I’m also relatively young compared to most in the museum and historic sites field, so sometimes my authority or knowledge is questioned,” Hudson said.

Antonelli echoed her remarks.

“On a micro level, there are challenges daily with being viewed as someone with authority and knowledge – challenges that my male counterparts may not face,” she said.

Hudson and Antonelli’s experiences point toward a truth about museum employment at a broader scale. The general workforce of museums has recently achieved balance among genders, and smaller museums, such as the University Museum, are often entirely staffed by women.

Despite this, the prevalence of women in museums does not necessarily put an end to gender inequities. Issues like gender bias and wage inequality still plague the field.

“On a macro level, I have experienced firsthand and seen other female curators not advance professionally as quickly, receive recognition or be compensated equally,” Antonelli said. “And although there may be growth in hiring POC (people of col -

or) and women, it is often not in the leadership roles.”

Gonzalez said that gender discrimination affects the work displayed. She noted the lack of female artists featured in museums.

“I think it’d be foolish to ignore the issues surrounding gender in the museum field, especially when it comes to female representation in museum galleries,” she said.

Only 13 percent of featured artists in major U.S. museums are women.

Gonzales said the University Museum challenges this convention.

“Our exhibits highlight and honor so many women artists like Theora Hamblett (a Mississippi painter) and Clementine Hunter (a Louisiana folk artist),” Gonzales said.

Hamblett’s work takes a front seat at the museum, as seen in the recently installed “Friends of Theora” exhibition.

Gonzales talked about how the abundance of women employed by the university’s museum and historic

houses fosters a community.

“Working at our museum, I have found powerful female colleagues and students that inspire and push me everyday,” Gonzalez said. “Feeling represented amongst your team creates an environment where you feel more comfort-

able, understood and seen.”

Antonelli emphasized the impact of employing women in high-level museum roles.

“Our representation allows young girls and student women to see a career in the museum field as an option and that will help create equity,” she said.

The University of Mississippi Museum is located on University Avenue in Oxford.

PHOTO COURTESY: ROBERT JORDAN

Rachel Hudson, assistant curator of Rowan Oak.

PHOTO COURTESY: JACOB AGNER

“

Our representation allows young girls and student women to see a career in the museum field as an option and that will help create equity, ”

-Rosa Salas Gonzalez

Women behind the lens: recent film recommendations

A 2017 study conducted by UCLA’s social sciences department examining the top 250 highest-grossing films of the year found that women comprised a mere 11% of directing jobs in the American film industry.

While the tides, both nationwide and internationally, have been turning toward a more diverse and inclusive studio system, considerable progress still needs to be made toward equity in filmmaking.

These filmmakers and their respective movies stand as the bellwethers of change:

“Women Talking” (Directed by Sarah Polley, 2022)

“Women Talking,” which took the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 95th Academy Awards, is a remarkable turn for Canadian filmmaker Sarah Polley. The film weaves together a wondrous tapestry of great performances to tell a difficult but vital story of collective trauma. (Available to rent)

“Marvelous and the Black Hole” (Directed by Kate Tsang, 2021)

Kate Tsang’s directorial debut, which she showcased in Oxford in November 2021, is an equally generous and life-affirming coming-of-age tale and one ripe for the whole family. (Available to rent)

“Shiva Baby” (Directed by Emma Seligman, 2020)

Following the debut of her spectacular sophomore feature “Bottoms” at the SXSW Film Festival, Emma Seligman’s first (and hopefully one of many) collaborations with actress Rachel Sennott is a hilariously written high-anxiety comedy, perfect for any college student or college student at heart. (Available to stream on HBO Max)

“Bodies Bodies Bodies” (Directed by Halina Reijn, 2022)

Rachel Sennott also stars, alongside a committed ensemble, in this A24 whodunnit: a perfect Gen-Z parable, although the wonderfully invective characters in the movie would make fun of me for using the word “parable.” (Available to rent)

“Causeway” (Directed by Lila Neugebauer, 2022)

Jennifer Lawrence delivers her best performance in this tender and sensitive character study about a bewildered veteran returning to her hometown, forced to hit the restart button. (Available to stream on Apple TV+)

“Turning Red” (Directed by Domee Shi, 2022)

In equally tender territory, “Turning Red” marks the first film in Pixar’s near-30-year history to be solo-directed by a woman. The movie delivers Pixar’s signature pathos, while providing a glimpse into a uniquely specific, yet indelibly universal world. (Available to stream on Disney+)

“Till” (Directed by Chinonye Chukwu, 2022)

Following her 2019 Sundance-breakout “Clemency,” a true ripped-from-the-headlines tale, director Chinonye Chukwu sets her sights on the not-so-distant past, capturing the Emmett Till story with a haunting, poignant sensitivity. (Available to rent)

“The Power of the Dog” (Directed by Jane Campion, 2021)

Jane Campion became only the third woman to win the Oscar for Best Director, and the first to be nominated in the category twice for her 2021 Western masterpiece. A completely controlled, expertly observed take on the fragility of inter-generational masculinity.

(Available to stream on Netflix)

“The Souvenir” & “The Souvenir Part II” (Directed by Joanna Hogg, 20192021)

For an individual studying film production, Joanna Hogg’s autobiographical bildungsroman, traversing her

own turbulent youth as an aspiring filmmaker, hits particularly close to home. (Available to stream on Showtime)

“Titane” (Directed by Julia Ducournau, 2021)

I had the pleasure of hearing Julia Ducournau speak about her Palme D’or-winning film following a special screening at the Austin Film Society this month. After a consistently insightful Q&A, she concluded by discussing her film’s ending, specifically how, despite the film’s overall grisliness, she aims to leave audiences with a vital sense of hope and optimism.

(Available to stream on Hulu)

While containing recommendations to a mere 10 is difficult, and perhaps an arbitrary number, these films and their respective filmmakers keep me hopeful and optimistic for the future of cinema.

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Black female students challenge stereotypes about their femininity

I’m just not built that way.”

“When it comes to the narrative of the strong Black woman, it’s like (they) have to juggle ABC and be strong all the time. It’s, like, crying and being vulnerable is not accepted as much with Black women,” Yasmine Anderson, a senior Spanish major, said. “We’re expected to not crack under pressure. I think it’s hard for Black women to be soft.”

For centuries, Black women have been subjected to harmful stereotypes that impact society’s perception of them. Some include anger and dominance, while others include hypersexuality and masculinity.

For Women’s History Month, two University of Mississippi Black female students shared how these stereotypes have affected them personally, as well as what they do to deconstruct them.

Nadeia Jones, a freshman business student, said that she has been affected by masculinization and oversexualization, and that those stereotypes have caused her to change “internally and externally.”

“Growing up, I really liked girly media and hyper-feminine things. I felt that internally I equated femininity with whiteness for a long time in my life,” Jones said. “ I just felt like no matter what I did, I was never going to be this really feminine person or that lifestyle just wasn’t for me.”

Jones talked about feeling pressure to turn to Eurocentric beauty standards to feel pretty.

“When I wear my natural hair, I always feel like I have to do my makeup,” Jones said.

That isn’t the only thing that Jones felt she had to physically change about herself.

“From a young age, I dealt with body dysmorphia and eating disorders. A lot of it stemmed from the fact that my body didn’t look like other young girls. Like I wanted to be girly, but

She talks about always seeming “older than she was,” because she, along with other Black girls, were more physically developed than girls of other races.

When it comes to dismantling those views surrounding the lack of femininity, even though it causes her inner conflict, Jones tries to wear her hair in its natural texture to show that Black women can be feminine in their natural states.

“I am feminine. I identify as a feminine person, so I try to be myself and do what I like,” sha said. “Whether or not people think that’s feminine enough doesn’t have anything to do with me. Because I am feminine and other people will catch on to it if I put the energy out there.”

Another way that Jones does this is through her fashion style. She embraces hyper-feminine styles by wearing her favorite color, pink, and tons of glitter.

“Since I’ve had the ability to, I just decided ‘Hey, (this style) isn’t for this one

I wanted to wear and do what I wanted to do, and I felt like that would inspire other Black girls to do it too,” she said.

On the other hand, An-

of the queer community and talked about how that changes people’s perspectives on her womanhood.

“When it comes to the way that I dress, I feel like I’m more androgynous and whatnot because, you know, I am a part of the LGBT community, so that’s another thing. I’m a lesbian, but I still dress very feminine,” Anderson said.

She relates this to a label that pioneered modern-day stereotypes for Black women: the “Sapphire.”

bones, big noses, broad shoulders, etc. Anderson discussed how those traits have been used to defeminize Black women.

“Serena Williams, for example. They called her a man and everything. They talked about her like a dog. But at the end of the day, that is a woman,” Anderson said.

group of people.’ It felt like there was a very strict thing of what we can and can’t do. So I just decided to wear what

derson embraces her “masculine” nature, yet still finds femininity within it.

Anderson is a member

The “Sapphire” stereotype for Black women is linked to dominance, anger and masculinity. It originated in the 1800s and has been a caricature in the media ever since. It is often described as a Black woman who is “sassy, emasculating and domineering,” as well as, “aggressive, loud and angry” by the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The “Sapphire” is a woman that takes on the roles of a man.

Many Black women have strong features like prominent cheekbones, jawlines, brow

Another example of Black female athletes being penalized for their inherent “manliness” occurred during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Namibian athletes Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi were not allowed to compete because of their high testosterone levels, which occurred naturally.

Like Serena Williams, Anderson is an athlete.

“I powerlift, and when you’re like a powerlifter people ask, ‘Why are you lifting so much? You’re a woman. You don’t want to look big or like a man,’” she said, “I think that it really takes away from people seeing us as human beings,” Anderson said.

dm

Nadeia Jones, freshman business student.

ASHTON SUMMERS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

When it comes to the narrative of the strong Black woman, it’s like (they) have to juggle ABC and be strong all the time. It’s, like, crying and being vulnerable is not accepted as much with Black women, ”

-Yasmine Anderson

Sports Smashing expectations: Lady Rebels take on No. 5 Louisville in the Sweet 16

CAMERON LARKIN

thedmsports@gmail.com

The matchup is set: The Lady Rebels take on the Louisville Lady Cardinals Friday night for a chance at a spot in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite Eight.

Ole Miss defeated No 1 seed Stanford in convincing fashion on Sunday, and Louisville ousted Texas on Monday to set up this Sweet 16 showdown.

The Cardinals have a rich and consistent history in March Madness. Louisville has

made the big dance in 17 out of the last 19 years, with four trips to the Final Four and two trips to the national championship.

Ole Miss is in unfamiliar territory. This is the Rebels’ first time in the Sweet 16 since 2007.

A great way to gauge and predict non-conference matchups, and one of the only ways to compare teams who have not played this season, is looking at similar opponents.

Ole Miss and Louisville had two common opponents this season: Gonzaga and Kentucky. The Rebels and the Cardinals both beat Kentucky convincingly, but Ole Miss de-

cisively beat Gonzaga in the tournament round of 64, while Louisville fell to the Lady Bulldogs in overtime this season.

The personnel of these teams stack up quite evenly. Louisville has star point guard Hailey Van Lith, who averages just under 20 points per game, while the Rebels are led by former Wright State point guard Angel Baker, who averages around 15 points per game but is liable to go for 20 or more on any given night.

Who wins this game will come down to two simple factors: Which team can make shots when it matters and

which team can get the important defensive stops.

March Madness produces some of the best basketball in the world. That being said, many games in the tournament are not without scoring droughts, but the team that finds a way to make a run typically prevails.

Take Ole Miss’ game against Stanford. The Rebels went a long time without scoring against the comeback-hungry Stanford Cardinal. But once they settled down, the Lady Rebels found a way to take care of business.

On the other side of the

ball, the defense might be the biggest determining factor for who will win this game. If executed correctly, defense is one of the few constants in basketball that a team can rely on.

Ole Miss definitely relies on its defense, so it will be intriguing to watch how the Lady Rebels plan to slow down the aggressive Louisville attack.

This game, which features the No. 8-seeded Rebels and No. 5-seeded Cardinals, will take place in Seattle on Friday, March 24 at 9:00 p.m. CDT. The game will air on ESPN.

The Ole Miss women’s basketball team celebrates after defeating No. 1 Stanford in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 19.

PHOTO COURTESY:JOSHUA MCCOY / OLE MISS ATHLETICS

Hire Mississippi.

Hire Mississippi.

Hire Mississippi.

Providing safe, reliable natural gas is our job. But fueling safe and thriving communities is our responsibility. That’s why we work hard to ensure local suppliers and contractors have the opportunity to work with us.

Providing safe, reliable natural gas is our job. But fueling safe and thriving communities is our responsibility. That’s why we work hard to ensure local suppliers and contractors have the opportunity to work with us.

Providing safe, reliable natural gas is our job. But fueling safe and thriving communities is our responsibility. That’s why we work hard to ensure local suppliers and contractors have the opportunity to work with us.

If you are a Mississippi supplier or contractor interested in doing business with us, please register with us at atmosenergy.com/HireMississippi.

Providing safe, reliable natural gas is our job. But fueling safe and thriving communities is our responsibility. That’s why we work hard to ensure local suppliers and contractors have the opportunity to work with us.

If you are a Mississippi supplier or contractor interested in doing business with us, please register with us at atmosenergy.com/HireMississippi.

If you are a Mississippi supplier or contractor interested in doing business with us, please register with us at atmosenergy.com/HireMississippi.

If you are a Mississippi supplier or contractor interested in doing business with us, please register with us at atmosenergy.com/HireMississippi.

Your natural gas company

Your natural gas company

atmosenergy.com/HireMississippi

Your natural gas company

atmosenergy.com/HireMississippi

Your natural gas company

atmosenergy.com/HireMississippi

atmosenergy.com/HireMississippi

Angel Baker: the motor that keeps the Lady Rebels going

JANE ROB PANNELL thedmsports@gmail.com

As women’s history month is wrapping up, we could not miss the chance to highlight a woman who has had a tremendous impact on women’s basketball at Ole Miss and throughout the state of Mississippi.

Angel Baker was recently presented with the 2023 Gillom Trophy, an award given annually since 2008 to the most outstanding women’s basketball player in the state. The trophy is named for Ole Miss All-American Peggie Gillom-Granderson and has been awarded to players in Rebel uniforms for the past three consecutive years.

Baker, an Indianapolis native, attended Pike High School, where she averaged 22.7 points during her high school career and was named Conference Player of the Year.

The 5’8” senior guard played for Wright State University her freshman, sophomore and junior years before transferring to Ole Miss in 2021 to finish out her college career.

Upon her arrival in Oxford, Baker fit right into the lineup for the Rebels, appearing in

31 games with seven starts. She dropped a season-high 24 points off the bench against Texas Tech, found 16 double-digit games and had five 20-plus point appearances.

Being the only Rebel in the 21st century with five 20-point outings off the bench, Baker rightfully received the 2022 SEC Sixth-Woman of the Year Award.

But she has raised the bar since then, increasing her scoring by 36% since 2022. This season, Baker leads the team in scoring and is the second leading rebounder, averaging 15.1 points and 5.4 boards per game.

Due to her eight 20-point outings this season alone, Baker surpassed the 2,000 career-scoring mark following a big win over Missouri on senior night, becoming one of only four Rebels throughout history to accomplish this.

The First Team All-SEC member has helped her team reach back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons. The Rebels have also made an appearance in the SEC Tournament semi-final game for two consecutive years.

Baker scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds in

Ole Miss’ upset of No. 1 seed Stanford in the NCAA Wom -

en’s Basketball Tournament last weekend. The Rebels face

Louisville in a Sweet 16 matchup in Seattle Friday night.

Ole Miss guard Angel Baker drives down the court during a game against Mississippi State on Jan. 26.

PHOTO: HG BIGGS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Play like a woman: 10 female athletes that have changed the world of sports

Mia Hamm

edly showing her emotions and confidence on the court.

Billie Jean King

King was not only an incredible tennis player, winning a record 20 championships at Wimbledon, but also a social activist. She made history in 1973 when she lobbied for equal prize money for men and women. As a result of her advocacy, the U.S. Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money to both sexes.

Simone Biles

Over her career, Biles became the most decorated gymnast in the world, with a record 25 World Championship medals. It was a surprise to many when she withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to her mental health concerns. In doing so, Biles paved the way for future generations to have a healthy relationship with their sport and speak up when they do not.

Lusia Harris

Harris is considered one of the pioneers of women’s basketball. When she was selected by the New Orleans Jazz in the 1977 NBA Draft, her name went down in history. She became the first female NBA player and the first black woman inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The former professional soccer player and icon played for the U.S. national team at 15 and won four NCAA titles at the University of North Carolina. She continued to rack up honors as she became a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. In 2013, she became the first woman inducted into the World Football Hall of Fame.

Lisa Leslie

Leslie is an eight-time WNBA all-star, two-time world champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist. She solidified her spot as a dominant player and became the face of the league. Leslie made history in 2002 when she became the first woman to dunk in the WNBA. She continues to impact the sports world as a coach, team owner and commentator.

Serena Williams

Williams’s tennis career has been extraordinary. She revolutionized the sport, winning more grand slams than any other woman or man during the open era. What truly makes her career remarkable is how she changed the perception of what a tennis champion should look, dress and act like. Williams wore tutus and one-legged catsuits, while unabash-

Danica Patrick

Patrick was the most successful female driver in America’s Open Wheel Racing history. She became the first woman to win an Indy Car Series Event in 2008 and has the most top 10 finishes for a female in the NASCAR Cup series. Patrick’s celebrity and accomplishments attracted new fans and inspired a new generation of female drivers.

Wilma Rudolph

At the age of five, Rudolph lost the use of her left leg due to polio and was told she would never walk again. Fifteen years later, Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics (1960), winning the 100- and 200-meter races and leading the U.S. team to victory in the 4 x 100-meter relay.

Toni Stone

Stone was the first woman to play professional baseball as a regular on a big-league team. She served as a second baseman for the Indianapolis Clowns

in 1953, running 100 yards in 11 seconds with a batting average of .243. Stone was later inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Aimee Mullins

Mullins was born with fibular hemimelia, meaning she had no shin bones, and both her legs were amputated at the knee. With the help of prosthetics, the American athlete and public speaker became the first amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes in NCAA events. She went on to compete in the 1996 Paralympics, where she set three world records in the long jump, 100-meter and 200-meter competitions.

Stopping sexual assault starts in the classroom

Women’s History Month is about celebrating all the women in our lives and those who came before us to pave the way for gender equality. Among the conversations about the trailblazers in women’s history should also be conversations about the work that is left to be done, as social equality is still very much a present issue. Topics like sexual health, reproductive rights and sexual assault remain prevalent parts of the social and political landscape, with each of them lacking representation in the education system.

Education regarding sexual assault, in particular, is lackluster at best. We can all acknowledge that the statistics surrounding sexual assault are disturbing, but what are we really doing to fix the issue? On average, one American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. While a majority of these assault victims are female, males can also be the victims of attempted or completed rapes.

Steps are being made to stop so-called “date rape drugs” from being an issue on college campuses, with the Ole Miss Associated Student Body working with the Oxford Police De-

partment to create initiatives such as coasters that detect ‘roofies’ and the new angel shot initiative to make it easier for women to covertly ask for help. While these steps are positive, there is still not very much education surrounding what to do after being sexually assaulted.

Sexual assault can look a lot of different ways, but 8 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone known to the victim. Assault does not always include weapons, and it is usually not by a masked figure who appears from the darkness, as we can sometimes be led to believe. What this all adds up to is that reporting sexual assault, and even coming to terms with the fact that an incident was rape, is more difficult than most people understand.

We need to focus more on educating young people on what qualifies as consent and what to do after you have been sexually assaulted. Studies have shown that in 2016 nearly 80% of rapes and sexual assaults went unreported, which is just as staggering a statistic as the number of people who are victims of these crimes.

When people are armed with information, they are more likely to come forward. Rape is unfortunately a difficult thing to prove, and receiv-

ing a rape kit can be very traumatic as it is very invasive and must be administered within 24 hours in order to get any sort of DNA evidence. A simple thing such as taking a shower or using the bathroom can immediately negate the test. If people are taught these things in advance, they may be more likely to get to a hospital and be willing to have a rape kit done.

I understand that trauma affects everyone differently, and no matter how much education is out there, some rape and sexual assault cases will likely still go unreported or unable to be proven based on DNA evidence. If there is a chance that education can help even a few people obtain justice for the crimes against them though, isn’t it worth it?

This Women’s History Month, let’s take time to celebrate the powerful women of our history, but let’s also take time to focus our efforts on the future and all that is left to be done to protect, educate, and empower the women of today.

reduce reuse Recycle your dm

CLASSIFIEDS INFORMATION

The DEADLINE to place, correct or cancel an ad is 12 p.m. one business day in advance. The Daily Mississippian is published on Thursdays during the academic school year.

Classified ads must be prepaid. All major credit cards accepted. No refunds on classified ads once published.

The DM reserves the right to refuse ads that appear to offer unrealistic or questionable products or services.

To place your ad in The Daily Mississippian Classifieds section, visit: http://www.thedmonline.com/classifieds.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DOMINO’S

NOW HIRING DRIVERS

1- Use a prie-dieu; 6- Biblical brother; 11- Actress Thompson; 14- Aggregate of qualities that make good character; 15- Flat surface; 16- Rainbow shape; 17- Gogol’s “___ Bulba”;

Fiddlesticks!;

Author Fleming;

Opinion Policies:

Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail. com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.

SUDOKU©

Puzzles by KrazyDad

Structure for storing

22- Scandinavian; 24- Printing in two colors;

African fly;

Missing;

Cowboy’s tool; 32- Lion sounds;

Adviser;

Antlered animal;

Golf clubs;

Chemical ending;

Declaration;

Many times;

Gillette razors;

Try to shred;

Prize;

Lucid;

God of war;

Tack on;

HOW TO PLAY

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 with no repeats.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

EASY

53- Din;

56- Bottom line;

61- Witness;

62- “Steal This Book” author Hoffman;

63- Paradises;

64- Flub;

65- Some beans;

66- Coup ___;

DOWN

1- Krazy ___;

2- Heston’s org.;

3- Alway;

4- Zeta follower;

5- Teachings;

6- Pomme or manzana;

7- “______ sprach Zarathustra”;

8- Fan sound;

9- ___ roll;

10- Novelty;

11- Dens;

12- Clear the boards;

13- Skin disorder;

21- CD earnings;

23- Oklahoma Native;

24- Challenges;

25- Metal fastener;

26- City near Kobe;

27- Thrice, in prescriptions;

28- Mock;

29- IRS IDs; 31- Birds on Canadian coins;

Fatty part of milk;

Brit’s bottle measure;

___ a time (singly);

Leases;

Hungary’s Nagy;

Ciao!; 42- Endless; 43- Unit of magnetic intensity; 44- Cigarette;

___-Bo;

47- Born before, senior churchman;

48- Passover meal;

49- Woody inhabitants of forests!; 50- Portfolio;

51- Bhutan’s continent;

54- Japanese sash;

55- Big Blue;

57- Lyric poem;

58- Hanoi holiday; 59- “SNL” alum Gasteyer; 60- D-Day craft;

Liv Briley is a junior integrated marketing communications major from Lemont, Ill.

“You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies. You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”

Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” is a symbol of defiance and perseverance, and it is one of the many reasons that she is one of the many, many women that we recognize today during the month of March.

Officially designated in 1987, March has had the privilege of bringing light to some of history’s most vital and oftentimes overlooked individuals — women.

Much like the events featured in the critically acclaimed film Hidden Figures, the work of women has oftentimes been swept under the rug. Due credit was instead extended to their male counterparts for similar or even subpar work.

Women have historically been mistreated and unfairly judged due to society’s misconceptions and gender stereotypes. Disrespectful phrases such as “women belong in the kitchen” and stereotypical characterizations like “the angry black woman.”

Today’s woman is not yesterday’s woman!

Today’s woman is not bound to serve their male counterpart. Today’s woman is not a damsel in distress awaiting their knight in shining armor. Today’s woman is the American Dream and not the Hollywood or twisted reality of the American Dream.

Today’s woman is the literal personification of overcoming hardship and finding success because today’s

woman brought her own seat to the head of the table. Today’s woman made her

voice heard without the help of a microphone. Today’s woman made a way out of no way. Historically, women have

been misjudged and mistreated. Women have been pushed down and stepped on, but still they rise!

Not only do they rise, but they rise and they march! From the classrooms to the offices, they rise and they march. From the sports gyms to the stadiums, they rise and they march. From the small towns to the big cities, they rise and they march.

Today’s woman marches to the beat of her own drum loudly and proudly.

Today’s woman is proud of where she has come from and the struggles she has had to endure because they have made her the beautiful and strong woman that she is today, so during this month of March let us continue to uplift the voices of those that rise and those that march.

Let us uplift the Susan B. Anthonys and the Elizabeth Cady Stantons who march towards injustice with fire in her eyes.

Let us uplift the Ruth Bader Ginsburgs who speak for the unheard with love in her heart.

Let us uplift the Jane Roes who surmount the insurmountable with hope on her mind.

This March let us celebrate International Women’s Month by remembering why they rise and why they march.

This March let us celebrate International Women’s Month by acknowledging those who still rise and those who still march.

This March let us celebrate International Women’s Month by rising and marching alongside today’s woman and tomorrow’s woman because no matter the difficulties:

Still They Rise!

Jaylin Jones is a senior real estate major from Lucedale, Miss