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Bravewoman’s Arduous Journey From CCSF Student to Faculty Union President By Gracia Hernandez Rovelo Ghernadez-rovelo@theguardsman.com

Mary Bravewoman, math professor at City College and president of the American Federation of Teachers 2121 (AFT), teaches her Pre-Calculus class on October 12, 2023. Photo by Gracia Hernandez Rovelo/ The Guardsman.

Unity Day Showcases Campus Clubs By Ellen Yoshitsugu egiese@mail.ccsf.edu

nity Day for the Spring 2024 semester was held in the amphitheater next to the Wellness Center on Feb 13. Students browsed tables representing student groups and resource centers, and enjoyed the music and warm sunshine. Several Guardsman reporters wandered around chatting with people and taking pictures. Clubs are financed by student fees, and participation in Unity Day is required. The Inter Club Council (ICC) puts on the event every semester, and ICC VP Jason

Luong did a great job getting people involved, according to Amy Coffey, Dean of Student Engagement and Wellness. Student participation in campus life is still recovering from the pandemic, said Coffey. More student groups are now being recognized and it feels more like a vibrant college campus. Here's just a few of the many groups on display. The Filipino Student Association's biweekly meetings are open to anyone. They organize events that are relevant to Filipino culture, and have an annual event for Mental Health Awareness month,

n a busy classroom at City College’s Ocean campus, Mary Bravewoman stands at the front with a whiteboard full of equations behind her. She speaks energetically, explaining details of Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry, using big gestures to show important concepts. At her feet, Dolly, her faithful canine companion, rests, occasionally raising her head to look around the room. Bravewoman’s journey from student to math professor to President of the American Federation of Teachers 2121 (AFT) highlights her resilience and self-belief. The Guardsman honors Mary Bravewoman, whose story at City College exemplif ies values celebrated this, and every, Women’s History Month. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Bravewoman’s heritage is a mix of Mexican and Native American. Guided by her grandfather’s influence, she joined the union and pursued a degree. “When my grandfather became a union man, he always instilled in us that you were stronger with the union because you have your rights protected,” she said. Bravewoman embarked on her educational

journey ten years out of high school, as anunemployed single mother living below the poverty level. “People can take a lot from you, such as your physical possessions, but they can never take your knowledge from you,” Bravewoman said. Despite having once been labeled as ‘lazy’ and ‘not college material,’ Bravewoman persevered. “You will go as far as you want to go, and oftentimes you go farther than you ever dreamed,” she aff irms. Bravewoman’s path began at City College in 1990, where she met counselors Joan Vitorelo and Joseph Padua, who supported and encouraged her to pursue an Associate of Arts (AA) degree. Guided by mentors like Cindy Moody and Bie Han Tan, she spent four years at City College, accumulating a hundred units across various subject areas. Her experiences there motivated her to pursue two degrees, including advanced mathematics, after transferring to San Francisco State University. “It was a long road, sixteen years from the time I started at City and the time I f inished my master's program, but it was worth it,” Bravewoman said, “Find a mentor in your discipline, for eduBravewoman continued on page 2

Despite Local Opposition, California Faculty Association Ratifies Tentative Agreement with State Universities

Faculty members and students gathered in Malcolm X Plaza on San Francisco State’s campus to voice their displeasure to the tentative agreement vote on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Photo by Elena Chiaruttini/The Guardsman

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Faculty members and students gathered in Malcolm X Plaza on San Francisco State’s campus to voice their displeasure to the tentative agreement vote on January 25, 2024. Photo by Elena Chiaruttini/ The Guardsman.

By Julia Chong jchong@theguardsman.com Students and faculty attend City College's Unity Day at the Mission campus on February 13, 2024. Unity Day is a campus-wide event for students to come have fun, learn about clubs and resource programs, and get to know one another. Photo by Jenna LaCome/ The Guardsman.

embers of the California Faculty Association (CFA) voted to ratify the tentative agreement

offered by California State University (CSU) this past Sunday, finally ending eight months of open bargaining and staff action. The agreement passed with 76 percent of voters in favor, a drop from the previous 95 percent majority for Rally continued on page 3

Family Resource Center Challenges

Catherine Eaton Skinner Exhibit

Rams Put Up Strong Home Performances

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