NIU’s women of color were honored during an award ceremony, the first of its kind.

The Brown Girls Rock award ceremony was organized by the Campus Activities Board and made its debut Sunday at the Regency Room. Approximately 150 NIU students, members of organizations and alumni attended.

Gia Hamp, CAB classical events committee co-chair, said she had a vision for the event and coordinated it with her committee and CAB to make it a reality.

She said the media tends to portray minority women negatively. The event gives minority women across campus the opportunity to be seen in a positive light while recognizing their hard work.

“Most of the organized events on campus happen because of minority women, so they deserve a night to be honored,” Hamp said.

Many awards were distributed during the event, including the Rookie of the Year, Mentor of the Year and Michelle Obama award.

The Hidden Figures award recognizes individuals who do numerous things around campus but are not always recognized for their work and dedication. The award was given to two recipients: Deyci Ramirez, a bilingual and bicultural CHANCE counselor at NIU since 2010 and, Passion Williamson, a CHANCE program advisor who has worked at the school of nursing for almost 12 years.

The CHANCE Program offers students a nondiscriminatory opportunity to obtain higher education, according to the CHANCE Program webpage.

Ramirez said she was admitted into the CHANCE program when she first arrived at NIU. She said being a CHANCE recipient, and now a CHANCE advisor, has given her the unique opportunity to see how the program functions from the inside out to provide better opportunities for students.

“Being able to serve as a support system and set examples for students is what I take the most pride on,” Ramirez said. “Every day we help students navigate the systems of NIU, especially in an institution where not a lot of people look like us. It is challenging for students.”

Williamson, who was also a CHANCE program student, said she has experienced a lot of hardship in her life because she is a minority woman, but receiving the award has motivated her to continue to help people fulfill their goals.

“I did not let [racism] stop me,” Williamson said. “If anything, it empowered me.”

Nia Brown, senior nonprofit studies major, said it is inspiring to see an all-inclusive event for minority women on campus and support in numbers greatly matters.

Hamp said even though minority women attending the event might not receive the same recognition in their day to day lives, someone is bound to notice the difference an individual or a group of individuals is trying to make.

“We are going to be honored in that way even if it’s in a spotlight or not in a spotlight,” Hamp said. “I want people to know that things you do on campus will never be unnoticed.”