Jenkins Receives 2024-25 Stonewall Scholarship
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named Sunny Jenkins, a senior from Sherwood, as the recipient of the 2024-25 Stonewall Scholarship.
The Stonewall Scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates knowledge of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) history, an understanding of current events as they relate to the LGBT community, and a commitment to advancing LGBT civil rights in the form of demonstrated substantial leadership.
Jenkins, who is earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in studio illustration, said she was extremely proud and grateful to receive the scholarship.
“I am proud of myself for who I am and what I’ve done for my community,” Jenkins said. “This is one of the biggest scholarships I’ve ever received. I’m humbled, extremely grateful, and winning this scholarship has made me feel very proud.”
Dr. Laura Barrio Vilar, head of the scholarship selection committee, noted the committee members were impressed by Jenkins’ academic achievements and commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights in Arkansas.
This year’s Stonewall Scholarship is $2,500, and Jenkins is grateful for the extra time it will allow her to concentrate on her artwork as she heads into her senior year.
“This scholarship will allow me to focus on my thesis project and not have to work as much,” she said. “I hope to create something wonderful with the extra time I’ve been given to focus on creating art.”
Jenkins does spend a lot of time creating. Not only does she work on commissioned mural projects, but she also runs her own small business where she creates her own personal designs for items like buttons, stickers, and stationery.
“I emphasize my work representing the Pride movement,” Jenkins said. “That is a part of my own identity, and I want to make people feel represented. If I don’t see myself represented, then I am going to make it myself and help other people feel represented through my art. It’s a representation of myself and of my community. Every aspect of what I do is about trying to promote equality and a safe environment for people.”
Jenkins has participated in Pride Month events for the last several years. At UA Little Rock, she serves as leader of artWING, a living-learning community for art majors. She was instrumental in leading a community-wide effort to advocate for gender-neutral living spaces in artWING.
“I proposed the idea, wrote a letter to the dean of students that was signed by all the students in artWING, and with the support of fellow students, we emphasized our need for a gender-neutral living space,” Jenkins said. “With the combined effort of my peers, we were able to create a space that fully embraces inclusivity and human connections regardless of sex or gender identity. I am proud that we achieved this together, and it has really brought us together as a community.”
