Southern University School of Nursing: What’s Really Spooky?

The month of October is full of creepy Halloween themes and costumes, but the Southern University Student Nurses’ Association is calling attention to what is really spooky: breast cancer and domestic violence.
October is not only a month full of free candy. It is a month where women and supporters come together to raise awareness for breast cancer and domestic violence.
Last Monday, the SNA held its annual walk to commemorate those who have fought, died, or survived the hardships that many women in the area face. A couple of those include the late Assistant Professor, Kimberly Vincent-McCoy and the late Gabrielle Bessix.
“Of course we began the walk by praying,” SNA shared with supporters on it’s Instagram platform. “Mrs. McCoy’s family held the banner and their shirts read, ‘Let’s walk with Kym.’ They come to the Breast Cancer Walk every year and we definitely appreciate them.”
Affectionately named “The Cardiac Queen,” McCoy studied on The Yard, earning a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nursing. She went on the return the gift of knowledge to her university by assuming the role of Assistant Professor until her battle with breast cancer ended in the summer of 2015.
“In the fall of 2015, I stepped into this role as faculty advisor to the Student Nurses’ Association,” Assistant Professor Juanita Garner explains. “Since then, we’ve really wanted to bring awareness to breast cancer and we’ve wanted to honor Ms. McCoy.” Garner also serves as the advisor to the Student Nurses’ Association and has watched the walk grow each October, but this year’s walk was one for the books.
“This year is the first time that not only are we doing the breast cancer awareness walk, but noting that October is also domestic violence awareness month,” Garner said. “Recently, the nursing community lost a nurse, Gabrielle Bessix, who was also a graduate of the School of Nursing.
One Monday morning in August, the 27 year old had just finished up a nursing shift. She picked up her young daughter and returned home for the last time. Bessix’s life had been cut short in a murder-suicide committed by a former partner of hers.
“It’s kind of quiet out here, we don’t have trouble,” neighbor Elaine Doyle noted in a report by The Advocate about the College Drive neighborhood where Bessix resided. “You very seldom see anything around here.”
That is why Southern University and many partnering organizations encourage awareness and the “See something, say something” initiative. Many women suffer domestic violence in silence, so it is the duty of family, friends, and bystanders to look out and speak up for one another.
Also in attendance was the Butterfly Society, a local domestic violence advocacy group and support network for victims. Monday’s walk was open to students, faculty, and community members, but that SNA missed one in particular.
“Donna Britt from WAFB news has been a part of this and a long-time supporter of Southern University and the School of Nursing. Since our conception of this walk in the fall of ‘15, she participated for the first two years up until last year when she was wheelchair-bound and unable to participate with us. We want to let Mrs. Britt know that we have not forgotten about her and that we appreciate her supporting us for as long as she has.”
As October comes to an end, be encouraged to fight the good fight for yourself and your peers not only in October, but year-round. Domestic violence and breast cancer can be haunting, but strength comes in numbers and the SNA will be rallying for years to come. You can catch the SNA at their walk next October or visit their Instagram @SUSONSNA to stay informed.