00:00:00.710 - 00:00:15.470

[Marie Laberge] Okay. This is. It is May 7, 2012. And this is Marie Laberge and I am interviewing Sarah McLaughlin, a graduating senior in Women's Studies this year. Thank you for doing this.

00:00:15.470 - 00:00:26.950

So could you tell me what led you to become a Women's Studies major? [Sarah McLaughlin] Sure. Well, I finished my English requirements, because I'm an English major,

00:00:26.950 - 00:00:36.710

a year early so I technically had a year left of free credits. So I took a Women's Studies course just to kind of see what it was like,

00:00:36.710 - 00:00:45.050

because I've never really taken one before. And I ended up really enjoying it and decided to declare the major, because I had time to do it and enjoy it.

00:00:45.050 - 00:00:51.750

So I figured "Why not?" [ML] And what do you, how did people react to you when you tell them you're a Women's Studies major?

00:00:51.750 - 00:01:00.890

[SM] It varies. A lot of times because I was an English major for four years before I declared major and on other pilot and

00:01:00.890 - 00:01:10.970

people ask me what's my major and I'm, "I'm an English major." And they'll be like, "Oh." And, "Also I major in Women's Studies." I mean, sometimes people ask me like

00:01:10.970 - 00:01:19.050

what that is because they don't know what Women's Studies is. But I'd actually never really gotten any negative responses about it.

00:01:19.050 - 00:01:27.450

Just more curiosity than anything else. [ML] And how do you think, your Women's Studies training will influence your post-graduation plans?

00:01:27.450 - 00:01:37.390

[SM] Well, I am actually going to graduate school for Human Resource Management. And one of the things that influenced me to do that was taking Women and Work.

00:01:37.390 - 00:01:46.710

And I enjoyed the class and it talked a lot about workplace policy. And I thought it might be interesting to go into

00:01:46.710 - 00:01:55.320

something that kind of make sure that that's in play and make sure that employees are being treated fairly and that policies are actually being enforced.

00:01:55.320 - 00:02:02.200

[ML] And what do you think is the most important thing you're taking away from your Women's Studies major? [SM] Well, Women's Studies

00:02:02.200 - 00:02:09.790

with very interdisciplinary. And I think that it gives you kind of the opportunity to see things from

00:02:09.790 - 00:02:22.690

a lot of different perspectives. And so, I think really just the, instead of just having one concrete area of study like Chemistry.

00:02:22.690 - 00:02:32.710

I've taken courses that are cross-listed with English, courses that are Sociology classes. So I just feel, honestly, better educated and I feel

00:02:32.710 - 00:02:40.810

like I have more of a a valuable education because it can apply to so many different things. [ML] And do you think that Women's Studies

00:02:40.810 - 00:02:51.260

continues to be relevant today? [SM] Yeah, definitely. I mean, we've spent an entire class period. I'm talking about issues with birth control.

00:02:51.260 - 00:03:03.290

And I mean, just the fact that we have this program still here and that we're able to shape an entire semester around issues.

00:03:03.290 - 00:03:07.910

I mean, proves that they're still there and that they still need to be addressed. So I definitely think

00:03:07.910 - 00:03:15.080

that it's important to still have Women's Studies. [ML] And how do you think Women's Studies has changed you as a person? [SM] As a person,

00:03:15.080 - 00:03:25.190

I definitely think that I look at things a lot differently. For example, my capstone research paper on gender stereotypes in sitcoms.

00:03:25.190 - 00:03:32.870

Something that I would never have in a million years even thought about before. So I just, I feel like I'm just more critical of what I look at,

00:03:32.870 - 00:03:43.370

and I examine things more closely, and I just see things completely differently. And I think it's definitely changed me a lot just in the way that

00:03:43.370 - 00:03:53.210

I look at everything around me. [ML] So you if you had one comment to sort of sum up what the impact of the Women's Studies degree is, in terms in your life, how would you do that?

00:03:53.210 - 00:04:03.980

[SM] If I? [ML] Sum it up. [SM] How I sum up the Women's Studies? [ML] The impact of Women's Studies on your life? [SM] I would say it just makes me more aware of

00:04:03.980 - 00:04:15.080

equality and more passionate about achieving equality. And I guess in a way it makes me more honest, angry about things that are going on,

00:04:15.080 - 00:04:31.350

that I was completely ignorant td before. So I think I'm just more concerned with the inequalities of society. I know that sounds cliche, but... [ML] Anything else you want to add?

00:04:31.350 - 00:04:44.550

[SM] No, I think that's it. [ML] Thank you very much, Sarah. [ML] Okay. This is Marie Laberge, and today is May 7, 2012.

00:04:44.550 - 00:04:55.790

And right now I'm sitting here with Sara Mann, a graduating 2012 Women's Studies major, in the Women's Studies office. [ML] Thank you for being here. [Sara Mann] No problem. [ML] All right. So what

00:04:55.790 - 00:05:03.790

led you to become a Women's Studies major? [SM] You know, I took a bunch of Women's Studies classes my freshman year. I randomly signed up for it.

00:05:03.790 - 00:05:11.510

I fell in love with it. I liked the fact that you could talk about Sex in the City in class and then in a test question

00:05:11.510 - 00:05:21.890

about Sex in the City. So I just kept taking Women's Studies classes from then on. Eventually, just decided to make it a major.

00:05:21.890 - 00:05:30.650

[ML] And how do people react to you when you mention you're a Women's Studies major? [SM] Most people will say, "And what are you going to do with that?"

00:05:30.650 - 00:05:41.380

But I also got that because I'm a History major as well. So both of them, they just don't get it. A couple people have reacted, "Interesting."

00:05:41.380 - 00:05:50.680

My grandparents don't really get it very much. But then there's been people my age who don't really understand why I'm

00:05:50.680 - 00:06:01.670

a Women's Studies major too. [ML] What's your response to them when they...? [SM] Normally I say I'm very interested in women's history because I have

00:06:01.670 - 00:06:11.030

taken every class offered at Delaware on Women's History. But I also think that I say, "There's plenty of women's issues,

00:06:11.030 - 00:06:22.770

to talk about that aren't covered in many of the other disciplines." [ML] And how will your Women's Studies training influence your post-graduation plans?

00:06:22.770 - 00:06:36.440

[SM] So far, I don't know what I'm doing yet. But I think wherever I end up, I will be conscious of women's issues, you know, watching the news,

00:06:36.440 - 00:06:48.210

staying informed, but also in the workplace, knowing how to... That there are problems out there and how to work around it and things like that.

00:06:48.210 - 00:07:00.870

[ML] And what the most important thing that you're taking away with your Women's Studies degree? [SM] I think I'm more conscious of the problems that are

00:07:00.870 - 00:07:10.670

around and things like that. I think most people don't realize women are paid less than men. There is still discrimination out there.

00:07:10.670 - 00:07:25.080

And I think that taking that away is important because then I, just being aware of the fact makes me a better person in general.

00:07:25.410 - 00:07:36.310

[ML] And do you think that Women's Studies continue to be relevant today? [SM] Yes. I think Women's Studies is extremely relevant. I think it is not covered in

00:07:36.310 - 00:07:44.020

the other disciplines as much as it should be, especially the hard sciences. I don't feel like there's

00:07:44.020 - 00:07:55.150

a presence of Women's Studies at all. But I'm waiting for the day that a normal, regular History class talks about women as much as they talk about men.

00:07:55.150 - 00:08:04.060

Because women were doing things back in history too, just like men were. But we don't get written about. So I think it is relevant just

00:08:04.060 - 00:08:14.510

because it's opened my eyes to so many more things other, that are outside of the disciplines I've taken [ML] And how has Women's Studies

00:08:14.510 - 00:08:28.640

shaped or changed you as a person? [SM] I think Women's Studies has made me more vocal about my ideas. I feel like back in high school and

00:08:28.640 - 00:08:37.220

before I came to college, a Women's Studies, you know, hot topic would be brought up that I didn't necessarily agree with and

00:08:37.220 - 00:08:46.400

I would just kind of keep my mouth shut. Whereas now I do know how to formulate an argument. I know how to explain what I'm thinking.

00:08:46.400 - 00:08:58.930

And I think it's okay that I don't necessarily agree with other people. [ML] So if you had to sum up overall the effect of Women's Studies on you, how would you, what do you think that would be?

00:08:58.930 - 00:09:09.010

[SM] I'm very glad I took Women's Studies. I think it has helped me become the person that I am. It's made me more secure with what I think

00:09:09.010 - 00:09:18.100

and how I see the world. And I think it has opened my eyes to many of the other problems that exist that

00:09:18.100 - 00:09:34.310

many other people don't realize. [ML] Well, thank you, Sara. Okay, it's May 7, 2012. This is Marie Laberge, and I'm interviewing Sarah Foster in my office in Women's Studies.

00:09:34.310 - 00:09:46.010

She is a graduating 2012 Women's Studies major. Thank you, Sarah. [Sarah Foster] Thanks. [ML] All right, what led you to become a Women's Studies major? [SF] Well, I took

00:09:46.010 - 00:09:54.780

Women's History my senior year of high school and I just really liked learning about women. It was information I'd never heard of before.

00:09:54.780 - 00:10:03.660

So when I came to Delaware, I took Intro to Women's Studies my first semester and I just fell in love with it.

00:10:03.660 - 00:10:11.100

And then I took Fem Theory and then I was like, "I'm going to be a major. This is for me." [SF] So. [ML] Something resonated. [SF] Yeah.

00:10:11.100 - 00:10:22.610

[ML] And how do people react when you mention that you're a Women's Studies major? [SF] Usually, "What is that?" So a lot of people, especially older men,

00:10:22.610 - 00:10:32.040

ask me what it is and then everyone asks what I'm going to do with that. So, it's usually shocked, you know,

00:10:32.040 - 00:10:41.510

ignorance of what it is. And also kind of like, "Oh. So you're one of those kind of women?" [ML] They really say that? [SF] Yes.

00:10:41.510 - 00:10:51.940

[ML So how will your Women's Studies training influence your post-graduation plans? [SF] Well, I'm looking into studying Women's Studies in graduate school. I'm going to take a year off,

00:10:51.940 - 00:11:03.500

but I think that's what I'm going do. Or, work for a non-profit women's organization. [ML] What's the most important thing you're taking away from your Women's Studies major?

00:11:05.070 - 00:11:14.320

[SF] Again, I think the most, the concept that impacted me the most was gender socialization. So like with Women's Studies,

00:11:14.320 - 00:11:23.830

I'm taking away all that learning, information for when I'm a parent, but also when I'm looking at my family and what's

00:11:23.830 - 00:11:32.390

happening to my nieces and nephews, and just the whole critical approach to society. When you look at a commercial like

00:11:32.390 - 00:11:41.300

Dr. Pepper commercials or whatever saying "Not for women." I just take that critique everywhere with me, can't get away from it.

00:11:41.300 - 00:11:50.090

[ML] For better, for worse. Do you think that Women's Studies continues to be relevant forty years after it was founded? [SF] Definitely. I definitely think it's relevant.

00:11:50.090 - 00:11:57.320

I think it will continue to be relevant as long as there's inequalities in our society, whether that's between women and men,

00:11:57.320 - 00:12:08.220

or between people of different classes, races. Women's Studies applies to more than just women. And it will be relevant. It is relevant forever.

00:12:08.220 - 00:12:21.350

[ML] And how has Women's Studies shaped or changed you as a person? [SF] I think Women's Studies has kind of brought me into my own. You know, I was

00:12:21.350 - 00:12:31.130

just a carbon copy of my parents basically. And I came to college and I kind of learned on my own, became independent.

00:12:31.130 - 00:12:39.330

It's definitely changed how I see everything and who I am. As I said, can't get away from it. I'm a feminist, whenever,

00:12:39.330 - 00:12:53.330

whether I'm watching TV or just talking to someone, you know, it's who I am. [ML] So overall how would you sum up the impact of your Women's Studies experience? [SF] Positive. I don't know.

00:12:53.330 - 00:12:59.410

I guess it's just been it's been a really amazing experience. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

00:12:59.410 - 00:13:07.450

I'm so glad I came here and was a Women's Studies major. I can't imagine having studied anything else. I mean, I did study English,

00:13:07.450 - 00:13:19.240

but it hasn't had the same impact on me, and who I am, that Women's Studies has had. So, I don't know. [ML] All right. Thank you very much.

00:13:19.240 - 00:13:31.690

Today is May 7, 2012. This is Marie Laberge, and I'm interviewing Colleen Dougherty. [Colleen Dougherty] Hi. [ML] In my office. Thank you for joining us. [CD] Of course.

00:13:31.690 - 00:13:39.550

[ML] So what led you to become a Women's Studies major? [CD] Well, I started out originally as an Anthropology major, and I still am, I'm a double-major,

00:13:39.550 - 00:13:51.190

Anthropology and Women's Studies. And so when I was looking for a minor, my advisor in the Anthropology department, Dr. Ackermann, just kind

00:13:51.190 - 00:13:58.520

of told me, "Just follow your passions." So I took a few different classes here and there. I ended up taking a Women's Studies class. And I took another one,

00:13:58.520 - 00:14:05.380

and another one, and another one. So I ended up being a Sexuality and Gender Studies minor. And then I just kind of like

00:14:05.380 - 00:14:13.310

realized just major. It's, you know, it's something that I love. It's a big passion of mine. So it just kind of. It just made sense

00:14:13.310 - 00:14:23.440

to take the double-major. [ML] And how do people react when you mention you're a Women's Studies major? [CD] The best reactions are, "Oh, that's great!" or, you know.

00:14:23.440 - 00:14:31.280

The people that actually know what it is get really excited and burst into so many different conversations and that's great.

00:14:31.280 - 00:14:39.350

And then there's some people that react like, "Well, what are you going to do with that?" Okay? All right, sassy. Sometimes it's

00:14:39.350 - 00:14:45.380

really positive and exciting and you know, people want to talk about it. And then sometimes I just have to go into

00:14:45.380 - 00:14:50.450

that convincing conversation of, 'Well, I can do this with it, and this with it, and this with it. And this is what I'm actually doing with it.

00:14:50.450 - 00:15:01.290

So there you go." And then they're like, "Oh, okay, I didn't know I could do that." So it's always interesting to say the least. [ML] And how will your Women's Studies training

00:15:01.290 - 00:15:12.680

influence your post-graduation plans? [CD] Well. I originally had intended on going right into grad school in the fall. Unfortunately,

00:15:12.680 - 00:15:19.700

those plans kind of fell through. But in some ways it actually worked out a lot better because now I'm able to

00:15:19.700 - 00:15:26.690

really sit down and think about what I want to do. And originally I was just going to go right into higher ed administration,

00:15:26.690 - 00:15:35.390

Masters program, which I still intend on doing. But now I have the opportunity to really sit down and

00:15:35.390 - 00:15:43.340

plan out everything that I want to do. So I'm still looking into that Master's program, but hopefully I'm.

00:15:43.340 - 00:15:51.680

But now I'm also looking at colleges that have Women's Studies departments where I can potentially get a certificate in Women's Studies. So we're

00:15:51.680 - 00:15:58.190

starting one here and I'm also applying here to grad school, so hopefully I'll come here the following fall. That would be great.

00:15:58.190 - 00:16:10.610

But it's definitely going to influence it a lot more than I had originally thought. In some ways, I hadn't planned on doing Women's Studies

00:16:10.610 - 00:16:19.640

in my Master's work to that degree. It was always going to affect it because eventually I would like to work with the LGBT community on college campuses,

00:16:19.640 - 00:16:26.930

after I have my Master's and once I get a job,. And really that's what I would love to do. So in that way,

00:16:26.930 - 00:16:36.050

it's always going to be affecting my career path and my career goals. But now, it's definitely being more solidified. And I'm really,

00:16:36.050 - 00:16:48.560

really happy and grateful for that. [ML] So what's the most important thing that you're taking away with your Women's Studies major? [CD] I mean, what is UNimportant?

00:16:48.560 - 00:16:57.110

There's so many things. There's so many important things I'm taking away from my Women's Studies degree or

00:16:57.110 - 00:17:06.170

the Women's Studies degree. It's just a different way of thinking and a different way of looking at my own life

00:17:06.170 - 00:17:15.700

and the way that I affect others, and the way that others affect me. Just the way that I, that I can work and the way that I, not even,

00:17:15.700 - 00:17:25.370

not only live in my personal life, but also how I work professionally. In a lot of ways, my Women's Studies degree is the most important thing for me

00:17:25.370 - 00:17:35.210

and is the thing that really affected me the most. I feel like in some ways, actually, in most ways my Women's Studies

00:17:35.210 - 00:17:45.540

degree is the most important and the most valuable to me, Excuse me. because it's really the one, it's the thing that led me

00:17:45.540 - 00:17:54.350

to what I want to do and what I'm going to be doing. There's so much to so many important things about it.

00:17:54.350 - 00:18:06.080

I wish I could articulate it better. There's just a sense of like in the department currently anyway, there was a really amazing sense of

00:18:06.080 - 00:18:16.910

community and which fosters an amazing, amazing, amazing place of learning. Without like, I mean, I, you know, with my Anthropology degree.

00:18:16.910 - 00:18:23.950

I love the Anthropology department. They're amazing. They're amazing people. >> But over there it's for me anyway, it's just, you know,

00:18:23.950 - 00:18:31.410

going to classes, and writing papers and getting everything in and done. Within Women's Studies, it's those things and more.

00:18:31.410 - 00:18:39.500

I value the relationships that I have with my professors and my classmates. And I value the things that they teach me, not

00:18:39.500 - 00:18:48.410

only in class, you know. In my education, but also in the ways that we speak to each other, and we learn from each other and

00:18:48.410 - 00:18:57.680

our own experiences. Learning is not just what you read in a textbook, it's also your life experiences and you know,

00:18:57.680 - 00:19:06.920

personal life experiences as well as professional ones. So that's helped me in so many more ways than people could even imagine.

00:19:06.920 - 00:19:18.320

[ML] So do you think that Women's Studies continues to be relevant forty years after its founding? [CD] Oh, absolutely. You know, people can argue until

00:19:18.320 - 00:19:31.680

they're blue in the face about how they think that Women's Studies is irrelevant, and they're just completely wrong. I came in to the University

00:19:31.680 - 00:19:37.160

not even knowing that we had a Women's Studies program. And when I found out that we had one, I was like, "Oh, that's interesting."

00:19:37.160 - 00:19:48.020

And, you know, didn't think about it until I took a class and was like, hit me in the face. Just people don't understand how relevant and how important it

00:19:48.020 - 00:20:03.790

is until they take a Women's Studies class. I get a little angry when people say that Women's Studies is irrelevant. [ML] So how do you think Women's Studies has shaped or changed you as a person?

00:20:03.790 - 00:20:14.030

[CD] Immensely. Just completely and immensely. And in so many ways. Like thinking back to when I was a freshman, I was such a different person back then.

00:20:14.030 - 00:20:24.200

And I mean, it in a lot of ways, it wasn't just Women's Studies, it was all my experiences in college, obviously. But even over the last two years.

00:20:24.200 - 00:20:34.650

I only declared my major last year. And I declared the minor two years ago. Even over the last few years, I've grown so much in so many ways,

00:20:34.650 - 00:20:42.290

especially academically. And I definitely owe the Women's Studies department that. All of the professors I've had really

00:20:42.290 - 00:20:52.770

focus on their students, and they want us to do our best. Other classes and other departments, you know, they want you to do your best.

00:20:52.770 - 00:21:02.980

But sometimes it's. I've always felt that the Women's Studies department has really put the most effort towards the education of their students.

00:21:02.980 - 00:21:18.040

[ML] So overall, how would you sum up the impact of your Women's Studies experience? [CD] (Gestures) Just sometimes it. I want to be able to summarize it into words.

00:21:18.040 - 00:21:27.370

In just a really succinct sentence. And it's kind of impossible. You know, Women's Studies has done so much for me.

00:21:27.370 - 00:21:36.820

I am so SO glad that I ended up declaring the major, and that I took the minor and then the major.

00:21:36.820 - 00:21:45.750

Kind of the theme of my personal narrative for the capstone was "What if?" And what if I hadn't declared the major?

00:21:45.750 - 00:21:52.600

I just, I wouldn't be the person that I am today. [ML] Thank you very much. [CD] You're welcome. I hope that was--

00:21:52.600 - 00:22:05.120

[ML] Okay. This is Marie Laberge on May 7, 2012, and I'm interviewing Kiki Evinger. [Kathryn Evinger] Kathryn. [ML] Kathleen" Or Kathryn? [KE] Kathryn.

00:22:05.120 - 00:22:15.750

[ML] Kathryn Evinger. Otherwise known as Kiki. A graduating student of the 2012 senior class in Women's Studies. Thank you for joining us. [KE] No problem.

00:22:15.750 - 00:22:26.300

[ML] So what led you to become a Women's Studies major? [KE] I started college undeclared. I thought that I wanted to be a vet. And then I took CHEM 103 and

00:22:26.300 - 00:22:38.180

I learned that I can't do science. So I went to my undergraduate undeclared, "fun" declared advisor. I was already a Poli Sci major by that point.

00:22:38.180 - 00:22:48.350

And I was like, "Wow, I'm going to finish my degree in like two years. What am I going to do with the rest of my time here?" She says, "Oh, I had a student take

00:22:48.350 - 00:23:00.210

a Women's Studies class. Maybe you should just take it. You know, she actually became a Women's Studies major and she loved it." And I was like, "Okay, I have nothing better to do. I guess I will."

00:23:00.210 - 00:23:11.180

So I took WOMS 201 with Dr. Cherrin my sophomore year. And I think the reason I became a Women's Studies major is because it was one of

00:23:11.180 - 00:23:19.100

the first times that I found that this was something really applicable in real life. And I like things that kind of blow

00:23:19.100 - 00:23:25.940

my mind and make me see things in a different way, which is why I like politics, some times more than others.

00:23:25.940 - 00:23:33.890

And it's also why I like Women's Studies because the world is the same around me. I was still living in the same place, but I perceived it differently.

00:23:33.890 - 00:23:45.500

And that just made me so excited. And I think I found a sense of community in the Women's Studies program that I did not have him Poli Sci at all.

00:23:45.500 - 00:23:52.720

Like I'm one of 50 kids in the class. I go talk to a professor and he doesn't know my name, he doesn't really care.

00:23:52.720 - 00:24:02.230

But with Women's Studies, it's you find a sense of community when you're here. And it's just, it's really nice and I liked it.

00:24:02.230 - 00:24:09.830

[ML] And how do people react to you when you mention you're a Women's Studies major? [KE] Well, my mother, when I told her on the phone that I was thinking about it,

00:24:09.830 - 00:24:18.660

she was very distraught. She said, "Oh, does that mean you're dropping Poli Sci? How are you going to make a living?

00:24:18.660 - 00:24:27.620

You're never going to find a job. What are you going to do with that?" You know, the typical whatever, and I was like, "I don't know, I can't answer these questions."

00:24:27.620 - 00:24:34.320

And so I freaked out too. But then I think, I think people just don't realize that it's

00:24:34.320 - 00:24:40.490

applicable in so many ways. Whether or not I decide to become a Women's Studies professor. I decide if I

00:24:40.490 - 00:24:52.170

suddenly grow a science gene and become a vet, then it's applicable there too, just not as obvious. So people react usually poorly,

00:24:52.170 - 00:25:00.260

which is why I like the Women's Studies community type thing because they don't react poorly. And it's usually a kind of like a,

00:25:00.260 - 00:25:09.740

"Oh, so you're one of them. Wasn't that a thing like way back when? You have a female Secretary of State, aren't you guys done?

00:25:09.740 - 00:25:18.270

Wasn't that enough for you?" No, it wasn't. So usually poorly, and sometimes I was pleasantly surprised when people were like,

00:25:18.270 - 00:25:26.250

"Oh, what is that? What does that mean? What do you do?" But most of the time it's, "Oh." Like I'm scared,

00:25:26.250 - 00:25:35.600

don't yell at me for being male, or being a housewife, or something like that because I think people just don't understand what Women's Studies is,

00:25:35.600 - 00:25:50.100

which is when I educate them. [ML] And how will your Women's Studies training influence your post-graduation plans? [KE] Well, I just accepted a offer

00:25:50.100 - 00:25:56.420

from a Master's program at the National University of Ireland in Galway. I'll be getting my Master's

00:25:56.420 - 00:26:11.120

in their Gender, Globalization, and Human Rights program. So plays a role. I'm planning on probably working, hopefully either in a non-profit

00:26:11.120 - 00:26:20.380

or the government, because my focus is generally on violence against women. I don't know whether I want to domestic or international,

00:26:20.380 - 00:26:27.530

but I like having a legislative solution to a lot of the challenges facing women today and the violence

00:26:27.530 - 00:26:34.910

against women in particular. So I'm hoping to find some sort of government post, working for the UN, working for the State Department, or

00:26:34.910 - 00:26:44.780

the state governments, doing something like that using my WOMS training. [ML] And what do you think is the most important thing you're taking away

00:26:44.780 - 00:26:51.620

with you from or with your Women's Studies major? [KE] I think that one of the greatest things that Women's Studies has given me,

00:26:51.620 - 00:27:03.220

besides this new Women's Studies perspective, is really a sense of confidence. Sometimes you get a lot of flack for being a Women's Studies major.

00:27:03.220 - 00:27:14.560

And I think what it's taught me is that I can stand up for what I believe in. Though I don't always have my Women's Studies people around me,

00:27:14.560 - 00:27:22.330

I know there are people who think like me and who see the problems with society that I see. And that, you know, if I want to stand up to

00:27:22.330 - 00:27:33.700

that stupid abortion ultrasound bill in Virginia or whatever it was, then I have a right to. It's really just given me much more sense of confidence

00:27:33.700 - 00:27:45.680

in I can do whatever I want. The sky is my limit type thing. [ML] And do you think Women's Studies continues to be relevant today, forty years after it was founded?

00:27:45.680 - 00:27:55.090

[KE] Yes, yes, yes, yes. God, what would I have done without WOMS? I do not know. Absolutely. I think it's

00:27:55.090 - 00:28:04.340

especially prevalent as I'm a Poli Sci major looking at the Republican "war on women." All of these bills that show that clearly people

00:28:04.340 - 00:28:17.110

do not understand women's health. There are men who don't have any sort of medical background making these crazy laws. And it really just shows that,

00:28:17.110 - 00:28:24.490

you know, people think that second-wave feminism is over. Women can vote. We should be happy. Well, clearly people still have

00:28:24.490 - 00:28:33.970

these misconceptions about what women should be doing and who should have control over women's decisions about their health, childcare,

00:28:33.970 - 00:28:43.180

all these different sorts of things. And I think it's important to have this like feminist Women's Studies base to kind of give us the internal strength,

00:28:43.180 - 00:28:52.750

like, "Okay, there's other people like me here. I'm not, it's not just me out here being alone." That if I keep pushing I have people behind me.

00:28:52.750 - 00:29:05.830

And Women's Studies really taught me that. [ML] And how do you think Women's Studies has shaped or changed you as a person? [KE] I think we've talked a little bit about that. I feel a lot more confident.

00:29:05.830 - 00:29:14.240

I think it's kind of given me more of an awareness of what's going on around me. I went to the "Take Back the Night"

00:29:14.240 - 00:29:22.820

sexual assault awareness month, different events for that last month. And it just really opened my eyes to there are people all around us who

00:29:22.820 - 00:29:30.740

are dealing with these issues and all these different things that I just wasn't aware of. But once someone tells you about it, you just start seeing it

00:29:30.740 - 00:29:37.350

everywhere and it just it blew my mind. I could not believe this is something that is still happening just in the numbers that it is.

00:29:37.350 - 00:29:57.830

And it just made me really angry and it's really inspired me to pursue my future career and all of that. [ML] So overall, how would you sum up the impact

00:29:57.830 - 00:30:12.780

of your Women's Studies experience? [KE] On me? I think it's made me a much better person. I think I'm a lot more receptive to different types of beliefs.

00:30:12.850 - 00:30:21.590

I come from a very conservative southern family, so they have a lot of misconceptions about race,

00:30:21.590 - 00:30:29.720

class, and gender and people's roles in society. And it's kind of given me the confidence and the ammo

00:30:29.720 - 00:30:41.570

to step back from that and say, "That's not right." Yeah. I think it's given me being able to stand up more for what I believe in.

00:30:41.570 - 00:30:48.860

It's given me more confidence. I kind of feel a little bit calmer too because there's always this kind of WOMS thing in you,

00:30:48.860 - 00:30:59.210

and then you actually realize what it is. I'm like, "Oh okay, it's normal. There are other people like me." And so I think it just made me a better person and

00:30:59.210 - 00:31:07.920

I'm incredibly grateful to the WOMS department as a whole. [ML] Thank you. We've been pleased to have you.