Camila Nguyen

Students gather around the Pink Connections table at Lou’s Place on Oct. 29 to make bracelets in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Texas Wesleyan students gathered for a cause that blended creativity, compassion and community during Pink Connections, a breast cancer awareness event organized by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Lou’s Place. 

The event, hosted in partnership with the Baptist Student Ministry’s (BSM) weekly free lunch program, invited students to create pink-themed bracelets and pumpkins while learning about the importance of breast cancer awareness. 

Katherine Hernandez, a junior accounting major who is the vice president of Texas Wesleyan’s American Association of University Women (AAUW), Red Cross and the secretary of the Programming and Activities Council (PAC), led the planning and coordination of the event after reviving the organization earlier this semester. 

“Our purpose was simply to bring awareness,” Hernandez said. “Many students didn’t even know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This was a fun, approachable way to remind people that it’s something that affects so many women and men and to show support.” 

Hernandez said the event’s name, Pink Connections, symbolized both the color associated with breast cancer awareness and the campus bonds formed through conversation and shared creativity. The AAUW partnered with BSM to use its lunch hour, ensuring strong student turnout. 

“Scheduling was challenging,” she said. “Midterms were happening, but working with BSM helped. They already have a large crowd at Lou’s Place, so it was the perfect time to connect with students.” 

Through support from Texas Wesleyan’s Student Organization Support (SOS) program and donations from Student Activities staff, AAUW provided materials for bracelet making and small pumpkins from the Northeast Tarrant County AAUW Branch. 

For Hernandez, the event reflected a larger mission. 

“We want to bring back school spirit and community,” she said. “Sometimes students feel like there’s not much happening on campus. But when they see things like this, they can stop by, have fun, talk to people and feel proud to be a Wesleyan student.”

Hernandez also added that she hopes Pink Connections will become an annual tradition. Next year, she plans to expand it by partnering with health organizations to bring breast cancer screenings and wellness resources to campus. 

Among the attendees was Jamya Jackson, a senior psychology major with a business minor, who said the event held personal meaning. 

“I wanted to come because Katherine’s been amazing since freshman year,” Jackson said. “But also, my sister’s daughter passed away from cancer. It was emotional, but also healing to see people care.” 

Jackson said she admired the detail and care put into the activities, from the seasonal pumpkins to the bracelets-making table and praised the event for its inclusivity and message. 

“They made it clear that it’s not just for women,” she said. “Men can join AAUW too, and I think that’s powerful. It’s really about everyone supporting each other.” 

Kate Mason, coordinator of the BSM, said she was glad to see the collaboration between the two organizations. 

“We already host free lunch each week, and about 200 students come,” Mason said. “So, when AAUW joined in, it was a great way to reach people who might not have known about them or about breast cancer awareness.” 

Mason added that creative activities like bracelet-making help break the ice and draw students into meaningful conversations. 

“The bracelets are fun, but they also open the door to talk about serious issues,” she said. “I’d love to keep partnering with organizations like AAUW for future events.” 

Hernandez said her biggest takeaway from Pink Connections is the reminder that health, both physical and mental, deserves attention even in the midst of busy college life. 

“As students, we’re focused on homework and deadlines,” she said. “But we can’t forget about our health or the people in our lives who are fighting these battles.” 

She hopes future Pink Connections events will continue to spread awareness and compassion across the Texas Wesleyan campus. 

“Even if someone just takes a bracelet home to give to their mom or friend, that small gesture means a lot,” Hernandez said. “It’s about remembering and caring, and that’s what community is about.”