Who Was Jennifer Giddings?
Jennifer Giddings was an undergraduate student at TCU from 1969 to 1971. In her years as an undergraduate she was active on campus representation and issues for African American students on campus. She worked with other student organizations to promote a sense of equality and belonging on campus for all communities. She was elected as TCU’s first black homecoming queen in 1970 and used her platform to voice these issues. After graduating from TCU, education and racial issues continued to be a passion of hers and she received many awards for her efforts.
Along with serving as TCU’s Homecoming Queen, Jennifer Giddings held a lot of positions on campus during her time at TCU. She served as communications chairman for TCU’s Association of Women Students, Dormitory Representative for the Organization of Coeds, a tutor and counselor for Project Upward Bound, Vice President of Jarvis Dormitory, assistant editor of the University’s yearbook, record keeper for Students for the Advancement of Afro-American Culture, a member of TCU’s national speech and hearing therapy fraternity Sigma Alpha Eta, as one of the 18 senior women in the university’s Mortar Board chapter, TCU’s national honor society, and as a participant in Chapman College’s World Campus Afloat program.
Homecoming 1970
Jennifer came to TCU to study speech pathology from her home in Dallas, Texas. When Jennifer Giddings attended TCU, integration was still very new to campus. The college experience for students of color on campus was very different compared to that of white students. Jennifer did not want that to stop her from being active on campus and advocating for students like her. She was surprised to be nominated by Jarvis Hall and SAAC to be a homecoming queen contestant in fall of 1970. She almost didn’t run because of the conservative atmosphere at TCU. She changed her mind after realizing the opportunity to represent the people who supported her and nominated her. After unexpectedly winning the title, she was grateful for the support of her peers on campus. She described the experience by saying, “Life is nothing but a chance and a person should do the best they can”.
Sparking Controversy & Speaking Up
After her election, Jennifer was involved with some controversy on campus concerning the college experience of African American students on campus. She and four other representatives held a press conference after four black athletes quit their teams. This press conference made four requests of TCU’s study body president regarding circumstances for African American students on campus. Dress code for athletes, a questionable denial of admittance of an African American student, a request for a black minister and psychologist on campus, and Jennifer’s exclusion from Cotton Bowl festivities were all issues that were addressed by Giddings and her fellow students. Jennifer, a transfer to TCU was unaware and not told Bowl activities had not been a responsibility of the homecoming queen for a couple of years. She commented on the experience saying, “I am disappointed to know that the students selected me to represent them but I was denied this opportunity on Jan 1. I know that some people would say ‘well, that would happen anyway’ but sometimes you think a little differently when you are black”. TCU’s student body president addressed some of these issues and disregarded others, but deemed most of the issues as a misunderstanding between student government and the “black students assuming the worst”.
Jennifer Giddings’s position as homecoming queen, allowed her have a positive influence on campus and in Fort Worth’s school districts. Jennifer was asked by many predominantly black high schools in the area to speak to students. In these speeches, Jennifer tried to communicate the importance of staying in school and pursuing one’s dreams. She explained the value of education and how even though it may be harder for some, you should not be afraid to enter into any field or area of study.
Today – Dr. Jennifer Giddings Brooks
Jennifer went on to get her master’s degree in speech pathology/Education at TCU and her doctorate in administration from TWU. Jennifer worked as an education administrator in Tarrant County and was heavily involved in community service. In 2006 she was recognized for her passion and work in the community by being named the first director of the school of education’s center for urban education. Now, Dr. Brooks, Jennifer implemented professional development opportunities for urban educators, increased funding for research programs, helped recruit underrepresented students in high school or community colleges to teach, and installed programs to keep kids in school. Dr. Brooks was also honored by the Save Haven of Tarrant County as the 2006 Legacy of Women winner.
Jennifer’s Impact & Challenge
Jennifer has held many titles over the year. Homecoming queen, president, advocate, doctor, researcher, educator, principle, CEO, administrator, wife, friend, and a TCU Horned Frog among many more. Jennifer is one of many women of color in TCU’s history whose story is not always remembered. Many young women on campus throughout the years have not been under the spotlight that they deserve. Jennifer was one that made herself known, but what about all the women who worked with her and around her to see experiences for students of color improved. How many of these efforts were covered by a story of a student with privilege? How many professors and students with position were there to support them and understand their struggles? How often were students of color used as tokens and diversity quotas? Even with Jennifer’s immense amount of involvement on campus, I question the headline and words used in her article after winning homecoming queen. “To be young, gifted, black, and a Homecoming Queen!” “Homecoming 1970, Regardless of Race, Creed or Color”
Reading through Jennifer Giddings’s yearbook and articles made me think about how far TCU has really come since the 70’s. Jennifer comments about it in an alumni interview saying she felt TCU has come a long way from the “conservative label”, but that TCU was still not a place she felt equal to those around her. She had hope though, saying “I hope TCU students will continue to speak out if they have questions so TCU can be like they want it.” Jennifer saw the way of change through student actions and voices. I think that this is an idea that she represented during her time at TCU as well as through her advocacy after her graduation.
TCU Special Collections Links for Jennifer Giddings
https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/15416
https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/11097