“At first, people looked at me like I was crazy when I was serving sushi, but then they tasted it and now they love it,” Williams said. “I really want to see more baked food and alternative choices to the generic, not-very-healthy options you see in a lot of cafeterias. I don’t want to see just a bunch of fried brown food.”
She’s sometimes joined in campus cafeteria by her husband, who has learned a lot about nutrition from his wife.
“Robin is tough when it comes to her family’s health and a proper diet. We don’t eat at fast food places and we think about what we are putting into our bodies and the consequences of poor decisions,” he said. “Robin loves to take care of people … she is a nurturer.”
The only first lady in the 125-year history of Delaware State to earn a doctorate, Williams wrote a dissertation about effective leadership as part of her doctorate in education from North Carolina State University. But she admits that leading people toward a good diet is an uphill battle – especially in the African American community.
“It’s not a secret that our diet isn’t always the healthiest of diets. We know we have to move toward fresh vegetables and preparing meals ourselves, but it’s hard,” she said.
“When you’re working and raising a family and you’re stressed and you need to eat fast, it’s easier not to change. It’s easier to go back to your old habits.”