Prior to revealing the logo, French told the audience, “This is much more than just an organization. It’s a sisterhood that is much needed – a place where underrepresented women-identifying can be supported as they navigate their journey at an undergraduate or graduate level in STEM-related fields.”

French, who is from Maplewood, New Jersey, graduated in spring of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. Besides being president of BBWESTS for the 2021-2022 academic year, she competed on the URI women’s track and field team, she was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, and she mentored other female students in engineering.

“These four years would not have been the same without the support and encouragement of my peers, which is what makes this sisterhood so important,” said French. “There were many times when I doubted myself or felt that this was not the path for me, but the constant support motivated me to continue striving.”

French and Watson credited the founding members of BBWESTS for their efforts in establishing the group in the fall of 2019.

“While the founding sisters were matriculating, they still found the time to organize students to help them brainstorm what this organization was going to be about,” said Watson. “They had to consider if the group was just going to be about engineers, or if it was going to be about everyone on campus who needs support as women, whether they are in STEM-related majors or not. I was glad to be able to help them.”

All four founding members were present for the unveiling of the logo and had an opportunity to convey what BBWESTS meant to them as students and how the experience continues to impact their lives.

“This logo represents our goals and hopes to provide a safe, vulnerable, authentic space where underrepresented Black and Brown women in STEM can embrace their intersectional identities while benefitting from academic, professional and social support,” said Melissa Delpech, one of the original members.

Delpech is a graduate student at The Ohio State University, where she has once again started a BBWESTS chapter. The chapter has 100 members and is still growing.

Delpech earned bachelor degrees in civil engineering and French from URI in 2020. The organization’s three other founding sisters include Renee Gordon, Pascaline Uwase and Fatima Issa.

Gordon completed a master’s degree in clinical engineering from the University of Connecticut this spring. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering and German through URI’s International Engineering Program in 2020. Uwase graduated from URI with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering in 2020. Issa earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from URI in 2019.

BBWESTS Mission Statement