We are looking for vivid and honest personal stories and essays about the experiences of women of color in elite liberal arts colleges throughout the United States.

We are looking to attract submissions that reflect experiences, friendships and realizations made during the college years. Themes to consider include but are not limited to,

•identity
•socioeconomic, cultural, racial issues
•classroom dynamics
•turning points
•depression
•challenging moments
•friendships
•dating
•student/professor dynamics
•sex, sexuality

Contributions will be accepted in the form of a letter, journal entry, video, personal reflection, and/or essay. Entries should not exceed ten pages. Your submissions will be cautiously edited for grammar and comprehensibility. Unfortunately, we will not be able to include everyone’s submissions.

HOW TO SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS

Eligibility

1. Must be a self-identified woman of color who is or has attended a liberal arts college in the United States

2. Must be at least a second semester freshman

Along with your submissions, please include:

•a brief biography (2 – 3 sentences) with your first name and last name (last name optional)
•a photograph of yourself
•ethnicity
•age
•where you are from
•what college you attend(ed) and what years

Also, please include a list of suggested areas of action that, you believe, will better the liberal arts college environment for women of color.

Send your electronic submissions to: refusethesilence@gmail.com or fill out form at the bottom of this page.

First Deadline:  December 1st 2011

Note: By sending in your submissions you are giving permission to distribute and publish your work. If you have any specific requests regarding your submissions and the way that it should be distributed/published, please include a note and I guarantee that your requests will be honored.