'Harvard Crimson' Elects First Black Woman President In 145-Year History

Harvard Crimson, the school newspaper of the prestigious university, has elected its first Black female president for the 2018–2019 school year.

Kristine E.Guillaume, a junior who studies African-American studies, history and literature, will run the Crimson, which is the country’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper. Founded in 1873, past editors include Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

“If my election has validated anyone’s experience or validated anyone’s belonging in Crimson, then my hard work will be worth it and will continue to be worth it,” Guillaume said.

The Queens, New York, native has served as one of the paper’s central administration reporters, during which time she interviewed two university presidents. She also co-chairs the paper’s Diversity and Inclusivity Committee.

“At Harvard you’re in a space that was made for white men, so if you’re not the cookie-cutter white man who Harvard was built for, it can be difficult to navigate being here,” she said.

“I want people to think about how to navigate, and feel like they can and get through their education and feel like they do belong here. That’s a big thing for me.”

Congratulations!