Uncrowned Community Builders

Personal: Born in Buffalo, New York. One son, Chris and 3 yr. old granddaughter Samaiya.

Current Place of Residence: Henrietta, NY

Occupation: Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt

Education: Masters of Science in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.

Community/Organization/Club/Volunteer Activities: President, Metropolitan WomenÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢s Network, National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Treasurer, Xerox Black WomenÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢s Leadership Council; Co-chair Platform1, Delta Nu Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Member, Aenon Baptist Church Mass Choir.

Area of Accomplishment: 1) Against the odds of family members telling me that there was no way that I could go to school to be an engineer, I earned my associates, bachelorÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢s and mastersÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢ degrees in industrial engineering. 2) After years of working in the manufacturing field, I have made a career change to support the sales and marketing environment.

Awards/Nominations: Professional Award, Genesee Valley Association, National Association of BPWC; Certificates of Achievement, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Nu Omega Chapter

Biographical Sketch:
Gibson joined Xerox in 1989 as a manufacturing engineer. She subsequently held several positions in engineering, manufacturing operations and quality. Prior to Xerox, Gibson worked as an engineer at a number of companies including Sierra Research Corporation, Rospatch Electronic Systems Division and Pfaudler Corporation.

During her Xerox career, Gibson has led and participated in several quality control teams including design, document services, and warehouse and manufacturing operations, which have delivered thousands of dollars in savings to the corporation. In February 2005, she received the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification which recognizes her excellence in leadership and quality skills.

Gibson is one of the first African American females to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She also holds a Master of Science degree in industrial and manufacturing engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology. Gibson serves as president of Metropolitan WomenÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢s Network, a local section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Nu Omega Chapter, the National Association of Female Executives, the Urban League of Rochester, and the American Society for Quality. Her Xerox affiliations include the Black WomenÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢s Leadership Council, Xerox Leadership Association, Rochester Black Employees Association and The WomenÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢s Alliance. Gibson is a member of the Aenon Baptist Church, Rochester, NY.

How Others Might Describe you: Professional, quiet, helpful, supportive

Response to Adversity, Challenges and Negative Representations: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

How other women can support African American women: By being there to provide support when and where they can.

Song that Best Describes Life: Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??Climb Every MountainÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?

Favorite Quote About African American (AA) Women: Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??IÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢m Every WomanÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?

Favorite Books: Battlefield of the Mind (Meyer) and Disappearing Acts (McMillan)

Favorite African American (AA) Female Activist: Oprah Winfrey

Favorite AA Contemporary Figure: First Lady Michelle Obama

Sandra Gibson served as a Community Torchbearer for students enrolled in the St. John Fisher course Assume[d] the Position[s]:Re/is/uncovering Resistance & Resilience in the Black Female Body. Assumed Positions refer to the myths, stereotypes, and controlling/disfigured images that often have characterized Black womenÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢s lives. Students in the course analyzed the representation, resistance, resilience, and reimagination of Black women in America by interrogating the historical and contemporary issues of their colonization, marginalization and subjugation. The course is grounded in Black feminist/womanist theories, enhanced by the use of fiction, non-fiction, films, discussion, and distinguished speakers including UQÃ?¢ââ??¬ââ??¢s Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold. Students explored the work, contributions and agency of early feminists as well as contemporary scholar-activists and Black women leaders in the Greater Rochester community. The course was created & taught by Dr. Arlette Miller Smith (asmith@sjfc.edu).