Spelman Alumna Featured in The Chicago Defender

Commissioner Sherina Maye Edwards, a Spelman alumna and also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was featured on the online edition of The Chicago Defender in a piece titled: “Energy Commissioner Sherina Maye Edwards, A Refreshing Color of Change.” In the article, Edwards talks about the energy field, mentors and Spelman College, and STEM.

In 2013, Edwards was appointed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to a five year term on the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Edwards was the youngest commissioner ever appointed at 29.

Here are some of the things discussed in the interview below.

Growing up, on the guidance of her teacher Edwards says her love was dance and that her teacher had taught her about the art of dance and about being a Black woman and how to be successful:

“The executive director of my dance center was fabulous. She was actually an AKA from Dartmouth. She taught so much, not just about the art of dance, but about being a Black woman and how to be successful. I learned a lot from her. Her name was Vanessa Baird-Streeter.

There have been a lot of mentors in between, especially at Spelman.”

Edwards earned her degree in Psychology, cum lade, and her law degree from Howard University School of Law. Later, the prestigious international law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP came knocking at Edward’s door with an offer:

“It was an offer I could not turn down. I moved here and practiced law for about five years. One day, I was in my office and got a phone call from the governor’s chief of staff. He said there’s a position open and the governor thought I would be a good fit. At that time, I wasn’t familiar with the position and didn’t have a desire to work for the government.”

Read more here.