Michelle Gray Haywood, WC ’75, was honored with the Golden Trailblazer award following her speech at the annual GOLD Speaker Series, hosted by The Women’s College at Brenau University. This year, the “O” year, focuses on ownership of personal responsibility and civic engagement.
Clockwise from left: Lois Green Harris, Michelle Gray Haywood, Natalie Roberts and Belinda Harrison Sims.
Gray Haywood is the last living member of the “First Four” – Black students who broke the color barrier at Brenau by enrolling at The Women’s College in 1972. She, alongside her roommate Lois Green Harris, WC ’75, and suitemates Belinda Harrison Sims, WC ’75, and Natalie Roberts stayed in touch throughout their lives.
“You will see, if you haven’t already, you’re forming and making relationships with the people who will help you when you need to rise to the surface for air, and assist in navigating the depths of life’s many mysteries,” Gray Haywood told students during her speech. “They became my sisters.”
Dean of The Women’s College Debra Dobkins, Ph.D., presented Gray Haywood with the award, which recognizes an alumni speaker who has transcended barriers in their career.
Learning to ‘swim’
Gray Haywood earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and broadcasting from Brenau in three years, and worked in radio broadcasting. She is a founding member and current board member of Augusta Mini Theatre. She earned her Master of Science in management, and worked for the federal government as one of the first Black women in a male-dominated field.
Gray Haywood impressed upon students how faith, hope and courage can help them learn how to “swim” through the ocean of challenges they may experience.
“For me, my resilience has come in the form of my strength but more times than not, it has come through in my lightness, stillness and patience,” Gray Haywood said in her speech. “When you are out there, in the waters of life… you must tread, but even this will tire the strongest of us, so then what? Well, when we calm ourselves and hold still, we float.”
Dive deep and resurface
Gray Haywood described Brenau as a port in the storm. After choosing not to walk at her 1975 graduation, she returned to Brenau for the first time for the April 2024 Alumni Reunion Weekend along with her daughter, Amira Gray.
“It was time,” Gray Haywood said. “It was time for healing.”
“It was time. It was time for healing.”
Michelle Gray Haywood
The two described Brenau’s student body as authentic. In her speech, Gray Haywood spoke directly to the students who “don’t and never will check a box” – deep divers.
“Don’t try to hold your breath forever, don’t always fight against the tide,” she said. ”In this port, the sacred walls of Brenau, hope and light shines through in ways it might not once you leave and that is okay. In those moments, in those places where the sunlight can’t reach, hold still, let go, and allow yourself to float…back to the surface, back to your source of air.”
Fighting the current and floating forward
As a student, Gray Haywood and her friends-turned-sisters went to college administration to request things they wanted and needed on campus. They also asked to be publicized as the first Black students.
“Really, we just wanted to be heard, seen and respected,” she said. “Other colleges were sharing their firsts, we wanted to share ours.”
Margie Gill, BU ’10, associate professor of psychology and executive director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Initiatives, spoke during a Q&A after Gray Haywood’s speech. Gill said the First Four’s resilience directly impacted her.
“As a Brenau alumna and a Black woman, I am grateful to these pioneers, trailblazers and modern-day influencers,” Gill said. “These women courageously fought racial segregation and I would not be standing here today if they didn’t set the foundation.”
“Despite the difficulties she faced, seeing her impact at Brenau reassures me that making a difference in the world is possible, no matter what someone else may think.”
Jayla Johnson
Gray Haywood and her daughter also visited with students like Jayla Johnson, a senior mass communication major who plans to pursue a journalism career.
“Despite the difficulties she faced, seeing her impact at Brenau reassures me that making a difference in the world is possible, no matter what someone else may think,” Johnson said.
“As a Black woman stepping into a male-dominated industry, I sometimes doubt whether I have what it takes to reach my goals. Meeting and speaking with Ms. Gray Haywood was a powerful reminder not to let those doubts or challenges hold me back.”
