Tree is Me: Self-Portrait

Trees are symbols of knowledge, strength, and endurance.

By Verneda "Rikki" Lights '74

The self-portrait that merges my identity with that of a tree reminds me of my undergrad years at ��Ӱֱ�� (and life at Perry House) for several reasons. Trees are symbols of knowledge, strength, and endurance. At ��Ӱֱ��, I “learned how to learn,” as BMC President McPherson once said. Knowledge acquired at ��Ӱֱ�� became the cornerstone of my education and career as a medical doctor. My knowledge of medicine and history (my major) gave me a broad intellectual palette that made it possible for me to pivot from medicine into life as a caregiver and visual artist.

The supportive community of the Sisterhood* [the asterisk denotes that Sisterhood* is open to all genders and gender expressions] at Perry House made me inwardly strong and confident. At Perry House, I also learned how to be joyful while connecting with others in community building. Now that I am a senior citizen, my “knowledge tree” serves as a safe place where others can not only learn but also rest.

This issue of the Alumnae Bulletin presents reflections from Black alumnae/i and students spanning 65 years in the life of the College.

"The Myth of the Monolith" includes messages from guest editors Taytiana Welch-McLure '13 and Jacqueline Handy '14 and links to related articles from the Winter 2021 Issue.

A Gullah native of the South Carolina Low Country, Verneda “Rikki” Lights ’74, M.D., M.B.A., applied to ��Ӱֱ�� as an early-decision candidate. In 1972, she was one of the first women to move into the newly established Perry House. After ��Ӱֱ��, she attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Class of ’78), during which time she gained national prominence as a poet. She retired from the practice of internal medicine in 1999 and segued into a career as a visual artist and business consultant. In 2009, she founded E-graphX Omnimedia, a design and business consultancy. In 2020, she created the , an intergenerational, BMC-inspired line of masks, garments, and accessories. An e-commerce enterprise, the collection donates 40 percent of its profits to the ��Ӱֱ�� and Black Alumnae/i Funds.