All in the family: Gillums in top seat
Takes similar leadership path as brother, but steps out of his shadow of success
Kianta Key
Issue date: 3/19/07 Section: Women's History Month Special Section
With a seemingly hereditary ability to be the voice for the voiceless, rise for any pivotal political cause, and above all lead the masses with reverence and vigor, the Gillums are making their family name known in Tallahassee.
Born to Charles and Frances Gillum and raised in Gainesville, junior political science student Monique is the youngest child and only girl of the "Gillum Seven."
"I think that Monique is a leader in her own capacity without the influence of her brother," said Whitney Murray, 20, junior political science student from Jacksonville. "If you ever talk to her you know that she is a tough girl, especially being the youngest with six older brothers."
Monique's brother, Andrew Gillum, who served as a FAMU senator, senate president and then student body president in 2001-2002, has definitely passed the "torch" that was eloquently used as the slogan for his little sister's student body president campaign.
In her three years at FAMU, Monique, has been a freshman and sophomore senator, where she was the chair of the student relations committee, initiated the Rattler Reach-Out program and co-founded the FAMU Chapter of the National Organization of Women along with Jillian Jones and Whitney Murray.
She is also a renowned member of People for the American Way, as well as a recent recipient of the Florida Achievement Award from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women for women who work to improve the lives of women and families.
After entering college, Monique chose to run for a position as a freshman senator while her name was indirectly popularized by her brother's status in the city.
Andrew stood out as he won awards through his years in high school even on to FAMU, but 2003 was his standout year when he was elected as a Tallahassee City Commissioner, making him the youngest person ever put into the position at the age of 23.Â
"I'm sure people knew who my brother was, and for some people who did vote for me they could have felt like 'well if he did a good job then so will she,' and for others who felt like the position was thrust upon me, but I always emphasized that I was a separate entity from my brother," said Monique, who ended up setting a record for the second highest number of votes in FAMU senate history.
Born to Charles and Frances Gillum and raised in Gainesville, junior political science student Monique is the youngest child and only girl of the "Gillum Seven."
"I think that Monique is a leader in her own capacity without the influence of her brother," said Whitney Murray, 20, junior political science student from Jacksonville. "If you ever talk to her you know that she is a tough girl, especially being the youngest with six older brothers."
Monique's brother, Andrew Gillum, who served as a FAMU senator, senate president and then student body president in 2001-2002, has definitely passed the "torch" that was eloquently used as the slogan for his little sister's student body president campaign.
In her three years at FAMU, Monique, has been a freshman and sophomore senator, where she was the chair of the student relations committee, initiated the Rattler Reach-Out program and co-founded the FAMU Chapter of the National Organization of Women along with Jillian Jones and Whitney Murray.
She is also a renowned member of People for the American Way, as well as a recent recipient of the Florida Achievement Award from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women for women who work to improve the lives of women and families.
After entering college, Monique chose to run for a position as a freshman senator while her name was indirectly popularized by her brother's status in the city.
Andrew stood out as he won awards through his years in high school even on to FAMU, but 2003 was his standout year when he was elected as a Tallahassee City Commissioner, making him the youngest person ever put into the position at the age of 23.Â
"I'm sure people knew who my brother was, and for some people who did vote for me they could have felt like 'well if he did a good job then so will she,' and for others who felt like the position was thrust upon me, but I always emphasized that I was a separate entity from my brother," said Monique, who ended up setting a record for the second highest number of votes in FAMU senate history.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Rattler
posted 3/20/07 @ 1:31 PM EST
You go girl!
Vickie Jackson-Herbert
posted 4/08/08 @ 1:41 AM EST
You are great at what you do Monique, I'm so proud of the gorgeous and intelligent woman you have become. Stay strong and be blessed.
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