After silently battling issues tied to race on campus, one student created an organization to allow women of color to openly discuss issues they face on campus.

Sophomore Dominique Cooke created the Women of Empowerment Organization after she spent two years on campus and realized there wasn’t any organization like this.

“Throughout my first year of college, I suffered in silence about the many issues that I was battling because I believed that issues like self-worth, discrimination, racism and being an African American woman at a predominantly white institution were all issues that were unique to only me,” Cooke said.

Cooke soon realized other students felt the same and they all needed a source of support on campus.

She tweeted on Oct. 29 her organization became officially chartered on campus after she received an email from Student Development Services.

I’ve been crying for the past 5 minutes. I’m super excited!!!!!!!! Women of Empowerment is now an OFFICIAL CHARTERED ORGANIZATION AT TCU?. I’m absolutely speechless and filled with joy. So much in store for me and this organization. TCU better watch out!? pic.twitter.com/klQIthJ00S

— rae of sunshine ?✨ (@d0miniqueC_) October 29, 2018

In order to turn her dream into a reality, Cooke spoke with social work professors, asked for guidance from an advisor and met with Student Development Services (SDS).

Sophomore Ariana Williams said she joined the organization to gain a support system from other women who also battle intersectionality issues while on campus.

“What I hope to gain is a great support system that can become a larger community where we all can feel heard and where we, as women, can just be vulnerable and open to speaking on the experiences we have similar or dissimilar on campus,” Williams said.

The goal of the Women of Empowerment Organization is to educate the TCU community about the issues women of color face to create a safe place of inclusion and support.

“My goal is for women of color to leave TCU equipped with the confidence and support system needed for future success,” Cooke said.