The Woman Behind the Hair: The Story of Marnel Niles
When she walked into the classroom at California State University in Fresno, her students had a confused look on their faces. Who is this woman with the big hair? Is she a student? Is she the professor? Marnel Niles remembers it all.
"When I got into the classroom, the students didn't know what to expect " Niles said.
With a smile on her face and her large hair neatly styled, she recalls the first day of school at California State as one that highlighted racial and cultural boundaires. As a black woman at a school with a whie majority, the first step into the classroom was a big one for Niles.
"They were actually surprised that I walked to the front of the classroom as opposed to sitting in the back, because in addition to gender and race, they also didn't know how old I am" Niles said.
Niles was on a panel of women who could relate to her first day experience. They shared stories of overcoming the boundaries and obstacles of the black woman in order to increase the dialogue on the issue
As for Niles, now that her students know that she is the professor and that her hair is just an expression of her style, she says she is happy to be at California State and here at NCA.