Temple University Athletics
Nina-Symone Williams Masks Up
9.22.20 | Women's Volleyball
In the initial stages of lockdown those that were not on the front lines had a new allotment of time on their hands. Some found a new show, started running or baking, but for Temple Volleyball's Nina-Symone Williams the time went towards learning to sew masks for those that could not obtain them due to shortages.
It was prior to the pandemic that Williams knew she wanted to learn how to sew and the quarantine provided the perfect opportunity for her. "I had always wanted to sew and by the time we reached lockdown my mom told me now is the time" explained Williams.Â
Also, with a brother in the medical profession, she saw firsthand the shortages that the frontline workers were facing. Williams quickly decided that masks should be the product. "With the number of doctors who were running low on masks it was important that I put the time to good use," said Williams.
It was, however, a quick learning process and despite being a fast learner, it took a few masks. "I watched some YouTube videos; it took me about ten minutes, and it was not great, but after a few I got pretty good," added Williams. As she continued to learn she began to put together a product that people wanted.
Williams would go to the local fabric store to purchase large quantities of materials in a variety of patterns.
While the initial masks went to some frontline workers and family members, after a social media post from her mother, word began to spread about the quality of the product. This led to a large increase in sales. When her mask making came to an end, she had made over 800 masks.
With over 800 masks, Williams was able to donate them to frontline workers while also distributing some of her revenue to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Making a mask was more than just a great experience for Williams. "It was a great bonding experience for me and my mother, my mom would cut the fabrics, and then I would put them together."
Being at Temple has unfortunately led to a halt in her mask-making endeavor. However, she plans to sew for years to come, perhaps not just masks. Williams took her desire to learn and applied it to a crisis that is being faced all around the world. A true "Temple Made" assist from the freshman.
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It was prior to the pandemic that Williams knew she wanted to learn how to sew and the quarantine provided the perfect opportunity for her. "I had always wanted to sew and by the time we reached lockdown my mom told me now is the time" explained Williams.Â
Also, with a brother in the medical profession, she saw firsthand the shortages that the frontline workers were facing. Williams quickly decided that masks should be the product. "With the number of doctors who were running low on masks it was important that I put the time to good use," said Williams.
It was, however, a quick learning process and despite being a fast learner, it took a few masks. "I watched some YouTube videos; it took me about ten minutes, and it was not great, but after a few I got pretty good," added Williams. As she continued to learn she began to put together a product that people wanted.
Williams would go to the local fabric store to purchase large quantities of materials in a variety of patterns.
While the initial masks went to some frontline workers and family members, after a social media post from her mother, word began to spread about the quality of the product. This led to a large increase in sales. When her mask making came to an end, she had made over 800 masks.
With over 800 masks, Williams was able to donate them to frontline workers while also distributing some of her revenue to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Making a mask was more than just a great experience for Williams. "It was a great bonding experience for me and my mother, my mom would cut the fabrics, and then I would put them together."
Being at Temple has unfortunately led to a halt in her mask-making endeavor. However, she plans to sew for years to come, perhaps not just masks. Williams took her desire to learn and applied it to a crisis that is being faced all around the world. A true "Temple Made" assist from the freshman.
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Players Mentioned
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