By Tanzania Kennedy
Trinity Times Correspondent
Student leaders at Trinity Washington University are extending the campus spirit of sisterhood beyond Michigan Avenue today as they launch their annual toiletry drive for a local women’s shelter.
The Student Government Council (SGC) and the Campus Activities Association (CAA) are inviting the Trinity community to help assemble donation bags at the “Blessing Bag” event at 1:30 p.m. today, Nov. 18, in Room 101 of the Payden Academic Center.
The drive began several years ago under a former SGC president and has since grown into a campus tradition that highlights the impact of student-led service at Trinity.
This year’s effort is led by SGC President Jamilehy Ramos, a senior business administration major and fine arts minor; CAA President Aniya Peay, a junior double majoring in global affairs and history; and CAA Vice President A’Nya Vest, a senior majoring in health services and minoring in psychology.
The three leaders said supporting women in the community feels especially urgent at a time when many families are facing financial hardship.
Trinity’s identity as a women-centered institution makes the mission even more meaningful, Ramos said. “It is very nice that as a women’s college we are able to give back to other women too.”
This year marks the first time SGC and CAA have jointly organized the drive. Peay said the collaboration grew naturally out of their shared experience running last year’s effort. “It wasn’t a collaboration with CAA last year, but this year we wanted to do it together,” she said.
Ramos added that teamwork has made a difference. “The process is much quicker and easier when it’s three people instead of one,” she said.
The leaders said events like the toiletry and clothing drives not only support women in need but also strengthen campus engagement. Vest, who donated items last year before taking on a leadership role, said the drive helps “create a village” by reminding students of their responsibility to one another and to women in the broader community.
Each of the organizers reflected on the personal significance of service. Vest said she grew up volunteering as a Girl Scout and learned early on the value of giving back. Peay said she feels “blessed” to have stability in her life and wants to extend that blessing to others. Ramos noted her own experiences with uncertainty around basic needs, saying that supporting women who turn to shelters is deeply meaningful to her.
With the Blessing Bag assembly underway today, the leaders said they hope the Trinity community will participate in any way they can. They emphasized that even a single donated item can make a difference and encouraged students who may not be able to contribute financially to volunteer their time.
A few helping hands, they said, can go a long way.