The morning fog begins to dissipate, but students are still lethargic as they shuffle through the crossroads of Figueroa Street and Exposition Boulevard. At the other end of the street is a woman in an electric yellow vest bobbing up and down. Her arm sways as she ushers in the sleepy crowd.
Above the roar of traffic, her voice carries over, an affirmation to each individual student. She points with enthusiasm to a young man in a hoodie, “Share your beautiful smile today.” To a young woman in a pantsuit she exclaims, “Share your cuteness!” The students wave back in acknowledgement and some slip down their mask to return a grin.
Sherrie Coleman stands on the corner of Figueroa St. every weekday morning to welcome students on campus., wearing a vest, sunglasses, and an orange billed hat. Despite the layers, it does little to conceal her smile, as she greets all who walk by.
Coleman has worked as a crossing guard for the city of Los Angeles for over 15 years. What initially attracted her to the position was a love for children and a wish to protect them. She tries to offer a positive impact on those she encounters through her work and her affirmations.
“Not everybody is happy in this world, and they need a good morning and someone to say how beautiful they are,” Coleman said.
She is guided by spirituality and senses that each person she greets needs a specific message. She thinks it is important for people to hear.
“I love everybody, and I treat them how I want to be treated,” Coleman said.
No one can get past Coleman without an affirmation; even on the days when she is preoccupied with another task, she stops what she is doing to make sure each person is greeted.
In the middle of a conversation, she excuses herself so that she doesn’t miss a single person coming across the street, and has even taken care to remember names of those she encounters frequently, most of them USC students.
She thinks that students are especially in need of hearing positive affirmations.
“Everybody needs to be encouraged, especially when they have tests, and I let them know they can do it. They can pass that test,” said Coleman.
There is some research to support the role of positive affirmations on mental health.
“Receiving an affirmation from someone else can help remind or cue those she talks to self-affirm,” said Veronica Fruiht, an associate professor of psychology at Dominican University of California.
A variety of research has been conducted on self-affirming, which often involves someone reflecting about something positive about themselves, aloud or in written form.
“Often we can get caught in a negative thought pattern that can lead to self-limiting, and we don’t expect much of ourselves,” Fruiht said. “The research shows that self-affirmation can be particularly beneficial in trying to help convince ourselves that we are capable of doing things we didn’t think we could.”
Latioa Brady, a Trojan Check worker at USC, says that Coleman’s positive attitude on life inspires her.
“It let’s me know that I am moving in the right direction every day,”said Brady about hearing Coleman’s affirmations
Brady said this prompts her own positivity and inspires her to greet others with enthusiasm. She remembers her words when she goes through her work day.
“You never know what telling someone to have a good day can do,” Brady said.
The research shows that social support can be a formidable buffer against stress and have a positive impact on mental health.
“Even something simple like making someone smile or laugh can be considered a form of social support,” said Johnna Swartz, an associate professor of human development at University of California, Davis.
Fruiht has done research on what causes students to stay in school and has found community to be an important factor.
“Students who report feeling supported and that feel a part of a community are typically more likely to persist,” Fruiht said.
Coleman has tried to build a sense of community in her own way. She described how before the pandemic she knew everyone’s names. With a new crowd, she is still getting to know the new wave of students and workers and remains optimistic about building connections.
Strips of long blonde hair escape from Coleman’s ponytail as she shakes her head in enthusiasm. This must be the 100th time this morning she has said ‘good morning’ but she has not broken her sing-song cadence.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, everyone needs a ‘good morning,’ and needs a ‘hello,’ and needs somebody to say how beautiful they are,” she said.