Claflin University GEMSS Program Director and Chemistry Department Chair Dr. Angela Peters, far left, and GEMSS Program Coordinator and School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean Dr. Verlie Tisdale, far right, show GEMSS students around the new Molecular Science Research Center at the University.

Although Mya Williams has not even reached high school yet, she is already learning the importance of community service through her participation in the Girls Embracing Maturity, Strength and Scholarship (GEMSS) program at Claflin University.

Along with 40 other young ladies in the GEMSS program, the Felton Laboratory student made pillows to give to the homeless and senior citizens last year.  Ms. Williams said that the GEMSS program has instilled her with a sense of service. 

“I learned to carry myself as a young lady,” she said.

Community service is only one component of the Claflin GEMSS program, which was founded in 2002 by Dr. Vermelle Johnson.   The young ladies learn about everything from wealth management to science experiments. 

Dr. Angela Peters, Chairperson of the Claflin Chemistry Department and Director of the GEMSS program, said the program is aimed at empowering girls at local middle schools with leadership skills.  Dr. Peters said GEMSS students meet during the weekends and have a summer workshop annually.

“We have workshops on different modules to help them on their journey to becoming young ladies,” Dr. Peters said.  “We really need to start them at an early age.”

GEMSS is housed under the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Claflin, Dean Dr. Verlie Tisdale said.  Dean Tisdale, the GEMSS Program Coordinator, said one of the program’s goals is to get the students interested in math and science. 

So far, the girls have visited the Myrtle Beach Aquarium, the NASA Center in Columbia and studied fish in their ecological environment.  However, the program has also gotten its students engaged in the voting process.   Prior to last November’s historic election, the students set up a table and passed out literature stressing the importance of voting at the Price of Orange Mall.

Felton Laboratory student Meagan Greene cites learning about other cultures and making a collage as her favorite GEMSS activities.

From left to right: School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and GEMSS Program Coordinator Dr. Verlie Tisdale, GEMSS Founder Dr. Vermelle Johnson, Claflin President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale and GEMSS Program Director and Chemistry Department Chair Dr. Angela Peters.

“I enjoy being a part of GEMSS.  You meet a bunch of different people and do different things,” Ms. Greene said.

She is planning for a career as either a professional dancer or crime scene investigator.

Recently, the Claflin GEMSS program received a $20,000 donation from the Sunshine Lady Foundation, a national organization that strives to eliminate poverty through the promotion of education while cultivating young women into vibrant leaders.

Claflin President Dr. Henry Tisdale noted the donation helps support the mission of cultivating young ladies into visionary women.

“The GEMSS program at Claflin University has yielded remarkable results thus far.  It demonstrates the University’s longstanding commitment toward making a positive footprint in the Orangeburg community,” President Tisdale said.  “I would personally like to thank the Sunshine Lady Foundation for their generosity.”

Dr. Peters said the donation will help in a number of ways.  To find out more about the GEMSS program, contact Dr. Peters by phone at (803)535-5447 or by e-mail at angela.peters@claflin.edu.