Ricketha Kirksey

Why continuing an education is so important to her:

"As a first-generation college student, it was never a matter of if I would attend college but of when. I knew if I were given the opportunity to advance in my career and expand my knowledge that I could not turn away such a life altering experience. Continuing my education will change the entire trajectory of my future and the impact that I can make in my community. I plan to utilize the skills I will gain a clinician to provide therapeutic services to disenfranchised populations that are lacking in advocacy and needed mental health resources. I believe in being the change that I want to see in society and with that comes pursuing my graduate level education to further be an asset to myself and those around me."

Ricketha proudly supports:

AmeriCorps VISTA

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society

Ricketha, what does the term “Golden Women” mean to you?

“The term ‘Golden Women’ embodies recognizing the role that we play in this ever-changing society and choosing to see the intrinsic value in our encounters with others. Being a golden woman means showing up as our authentic selves in a world that tries to suppress our womanhood and joyous spirit. It is embracing our cultural differences and honoring the intersectionality of our own identity. It is leaning into the power of community in a society that promotes individualism and self-isolation. A golden woman is set apart from others but humble in knowing that the only difference between themselves and someone else is time and experience. Knowing that the traits of a golden woman are ever encompassing and present amongst each and every one of us pushes us to find commonality and familiarity through the adversity we face. We have the potential to create lifelong impacts and generational wealth in our communities through resources, education, and opportunity. Golden women are resilient and a force to be reckon with as they have chosen not only to live passionately but to thrive above all else.”

Ricketha, describe something that is plaguing young women today and explain what can be done to turn it around? What can you do to help?  

“Amongst the multitude of areas that are in need of social reconstruction, the need for minority representation in the field of academia and education as a whole is immensely discouraging. If our goal is to leave the community and the world better than we found it, we are in desperate need of the tools, resources, and education that will get us there. At the foundation of this mission is the accessibility of education. As a Black genderqueer woman entering the field of social work, the lack of representation I have seen firsthand for social service advocates and mental healthcare is alarming to say the least. Honoring the intersectionality of my own identity, I desire to offset the lack of representation for Black queer LGBTQ+ affirming mental health clinicians in the South. What I can do to turn around the lack of representation is to become it. I am currently enrolled in a dual degree program at Loyola University Chicago for a master’s in social work and a master’s in women’s studies and gender studies so that I can further serve the communities that need it most. I desire to serve the queer community by providing therapeutic services in the area of micro social work, assisting in identifying and managing mental, emotional, social, and behavioral challenges that negatively impact their quality of life. As a minority figure, recognizing the impact that my own representation will have pushes me to continue on in my fight to be seen and heard within the community.”