Chronicling one’s triumphs into novel form is triumphant in and of itself, so chronicling other’s triumphs into novel form is surely an ambitious task.
Author Jennifer Pestikas undertook the latter challenge in her book, “Brave Women at Work: Stories of Resilience.”
Vice President of Student Affairs Shelia Burkhalter is one of eight women whose careers are chronicled in the book, which was edited by Hope Mueller.
Burkhalter’s story takes place at Winthrop University in 2018, when she accepted the job for Vice President of Student Affairs, and ends in 2020.
A book signing was held in the Winthrop Bookstore on Nov. 3 where Burkhalter was able to promote and sign the book while speaking with students interested in learning about women empowerment in the workforce.
Over the first 30 pages of the text, Burkhalter explores the parameters of her responsibilities at the intersection of several titles and identities–the first Black senior leader on campus in over 130 years, a Black mother and wife, and a mentor in the middle of a global pandemic rife with political unrest.
Her chapter is titled “First, Only, Different (FOD),” which she says is in reference to Shonda Rhimes’ book, and her experience being the only minority present in a room where valuable conversations are happening.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to understand that their journey is unique, but they are not alone in their stories of resilience,” Burkhalter says.
She writes about how the expectations that came with the transition and new title proved challenging, but not impossible to meet.
Burkhalter goes into detail about the friends and colleagues who aided her through what felt like endless disarray, both interpersonally and professionally. She also reiterates the significance of perseverance and keeping afloat.
Joyden Glover, who is a student assistant in Burkhalter’s office, says it was interesting to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the University’s inner workings.
Burkhalter has served as the chair of several committees along with her role as Vice President, including the group tasked with finding a new Provost to the University, as well as the Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT). She notes the many incidents she had to face immediately upon assuming position as chair of CIMT.
“In my first year, we dealt with issues like a major roof fire, a city water main break which shut down the campus, a high-profile sexual assault, a very messy, media involved Homecoming tailgate experience, and a student death.”
To wrap up her chapter, she shares an account of how vulnerable she felt as a black educator trying to navigate 2020 surrounded by the murders of George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade. She solidified her current principles for organization and conflict resolution especially in the face of those tragedies.
The COVID-19 Pandemic also offered her an outlet for self-reflection when she committed to completing her coaching certification program, which was also how she was approached with the opportunity to collaborate on the book.
“This first, only, different Black VP was expected to possess a strong public persona, excellent communication skills, a high emotional quotient, and executive presence.”
She writes at length about how the constant pressure of that knowledge impacted her every move, especially while colleagues were apprehensive about her ability to perform.
When she was invited to speak at The June 7, 2020, Diversity Dialogue: A Conservation on Racism Town Hall, she grappled with the decision to either remain truly authentic and risk consequence, or to keep up her guard and regret it in the future.
She considers this a defining moment in her journey to rediscover herself after being busy with work since she transitioned into the University.
In her speech she states, “while many of my family members, friends, colleagues, and allies have developed tools that allow us to ‘keep on keeping on’ despite the constant onslaught of traumatizing experiences and images. I worry about our students–all of you. I believe you need and deserve our support in navigating and changing this world.”
Stephen Gladney, a freshman middle level education major, says “(Burkhalter) motivates me to do anything that I can do.”
The book has become a bestseller on Instagram, and has been read by Winthrop University’s three most recent presidents.
