National Women’s Month: Highlighting Past and Present Auburn Women

March is National Women’s Month!

As a woman who is proud to attend Auburn University and be an “Auburn woman,” I wanted to highlight the inspiring women who have gone and currently go to Auburn University that have made an impact on and off campus. These five women make me believe in Auburn and love it!

Kay Ivey

As the incumbent Alabama governor since 2017, Kay Ivey is one of the more notable women who has graduated from Auburn University. From Camden, AL, she attended Auburn from 1963 to 1967. She was a member of the Gamma Delta chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, served on SGA, and class Vice President her senior year. She graduated with a degree in secondary education. At 78 years old, she’s still slaying!

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer was born and raised in Montgomery, AL and graduated from Auburn in 1994 with a degree in Liberal Arts. She started working behind the scenes before moving on to smaller roles in films and television series. In 2011 she played the role of Minny Jackson in the film adaptation of “The Help,” earning an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a SAG Award. She also starred in “Hidden Figures” as Dorothy Vaughn, which she also received many award nominations. She has her own “Octavia Spencer Day” in Alabama (March 21), and she is the first black actress to ever receive two consecutive Oscar nominations. I would argue that Octavia Spencer is the epitome of an Auburn Woman!

Anne Earthman

A current senior at Auburn University from Nashville, TN, Anne Earthman is the 2022 Miss Auburn. Her platform when running for Miss Auburn was “Down to Earthman,” where she emphasized the importance of mental health and accessibility for Auburn students. She is studying public relations and plans to graduate in spring 2023. Along with being the official hostess of Auburn University, Anne is a member of the Sigma Lambda chapter of Kappa Delta and serves as a War Eagle Girl.

When asked what it means to her to be an Auburn woman, Anne replied: “I believe an Auburn woman is someone who automatically gravitates to welcoming anyone who steps foot on our campus or in our community… is an advocate for her peers, and embodies the values that are important to her. For me, this looks like acting with integrity, kindness, courage, and in alignment with the line of the creed that states, ‘doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God.’ Well said, Miss Auburn!

Suni Lee

Sunisa “Suni” Lee is from Saint Paul, MN, and is a current sophomore at Auburn University where she is a member of the gymnastics team. She is the 2020 Olympic all-around champion and uneven bars bronze medalist. In 2021, Sports Illustrated named her the Female Athlete of the Year, and she finished 5th place in season 30 of Dancing With the Stars. In 2022, she had the most decorated year in gymnastics at Auburn University, capturing eight All-America honors, one national championship, one national title, and being named SEC Freshman of the Year. She is expected to graduate in 2025 and is currently majoring in Marketing. Another day, another Auburn woman making history!

For all the girls reading this, I hope you feel inspired by the astounding accomplishments of these past and present Auburn women. This National Women’s Month, celebrate yourself and your personal accomplishments, and…

Be Well, Auburn.