Courtney Dubose
Miss Winston-Salem State University
Interview Video »

Mid 18th century, early 19th century poet, novelist, playwright, and natural philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Geothe quotes, “Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing.” ‘Respect Yourself, Respect WSSU’ is the premise on which I based my campaign and platform for Miss Winston-Salem State University.

In a society full of media images that depict young women in a negative light, now more than ever, it is imperative that young girls have positive role models to represent how to carry themselves in a respectable manner. As I observe the generational changes that are rapidly occurring, even in the three and a half short years at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), I feel obligated to be a catalyst on my campus as well as in the community to assist young ladies in reaching their full potential. Often times, because of the low standards that we as women tolerate, we allow negativity in our world to define and decrease our value, without realizing that a virtuous woman’s worth is designed to be “far above rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)

In order to help resist the destructive images and actions that women face, I am currently in the process of initiating a chapter of My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) on the campus of WSSU. MSK is a Christian-based women’s mentoring organization that has intentions of “combating the negative images and influences that society portrays of young women…empowering young women to understand their true worth and purpose.”

It is especially easy on college campuses for both young men and women to get lost and potentially get wrapped up in the negative activities that surround us. Once I complete the initial stages of establishing this new organization on campus, I know the young ladies on WSSU’s campus will greatly benefit from it. There are three components of MSK: Support Group, Mentoring, and Outreach Activities. These components are to help educate, motivate, and inspire to live whole and complete lives in spirit, soul, and body.

Not only do I think it is important for college students to stay focused, I believe that the earlier positive morals, values, and principles are instilled in young people, the more successful they will be in the future. Therefore, in addition to establishing MSK on my campus, I had the opportunity to work with a global nonprofit organization called One Economy, whose mission is “to maximize the potential of technology to help low-income areas.” One Economy has also taken on a charter school (The Hive) in Bertie County, NC. Challenged by my supervisor to develop a program for the girls at the school, I created a two week program called “The Queen Bee in Me.” I established the program in order to assist girls ages 10-15 to identify with the Queen that lives inside of each one of them, to boost their self-esteem, and show them how to respect themselves. Because of the high teen pregnancy rate in the Bertie County area, as a basis for the program, I used the book The Naked Truth by Lakita Garth to focus heavily on sex education. While the heart of the program was sex education, I also incorporated fun activities such as a spa day and journal writing to keep the girls engaged. In addition to my program in Bertie, I had the opportunity to chaperone little girls from a local church in Winston-Salem to see the inspiring movie, “The Princess and the Frog.”

My experience working with young girls in Bertie County as well as other community events has inspired me to one day be the founder and CEO of my own nonprofit organization that targets both young men and women, to counsel and support them in their personal, professional, and spiritual development.

My philosophy about life is that God has a special assignment for everyone and if your life has no impact, your death makes no difference. Therefore, I feel as if it is my continued obligation to be “A Mirror Into the Community” by positively impacting the lives of those I come in contact with.