• The news that Harvard's leading 145 year old newspaper, the Harvard Crimson, has voted 20 year old Kristine E. Guillaume, as its president, making her the first ever black female president of the prestigious newspaper, highlights a victory for women, black women and young people across the globe.

    The Harvard Crimson is on record to be the USA’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper and is one of the most read since its establishment in 1873. 

    Kristine E. Guillaume will have the rare privilege of walking in the symbolic shadows of great leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy - both of whom are past president of the Harvard Crimson. Just the honour to have her framed photo hang on the same wall with theirs will be a dream come true.

    Kristine is a Harvard third year student who is currently studying African-American Studies and Literature. She admits to have received the call of her election as president of the Harvard Crimson with shock while in her room.

    She took to Twitter to share the historic and exciting news with her followers, who undoubtedly would have read the tweet a couple of times to make sure they were actually assimilating the correct information.

    In her tweet through her official handle @krisguillaume, Kristine Guillaume said:

    Kristine Guillaume's Tweet.

    Kristine Guillaume will take over from the current president Derek G. Xiao to lead the over 300 staff members in preserving the rich heritage and legacy of the newspaper.

    Kristine E. Guillaume is the daughter of immigrants who are both doctors. Her father is an Afro-Haiti - the major ethnic group in Haiti which constitutes about 95% of the country's population, and her mother is Chinese.

    In an interview with the Boston Globe, Kristine said:

    “It does make me feel weird that we’re still doing firsts.” 
    “It’s about time. I’m nervous but excited. It’s a huge responsibility, and honestly, it doesn't feel real that I actually have the opportunity.”

    We wish her all the best.

    Credits

    Header Image: Harvard Crimson