Testimonials

Roopa Lidder, Undergrad Student

What attracted me to this field of study was understanding the history of women. How did we get to this point in time – the pay inequality, the discrimination, the violence? I wanted to understand the culmination of events that lead to all of this as it had directly impacted the lives of my friends and family – both men and women – in the choices we made or didn’t make. Maybe in understanding this history of women, I could do my small part in changing the future for people I love and care about.

These topics matter to me because they really have a profound effect on the world and people around us. It touches upon every aspect of one’s life – from the clothes we wear to the jobs we hold. It’s made me realize that nothing is as simple as it seems and how the solution to making this world better is so very interconnected and complex – but not impossible.

Studying in this field has impressed upon me how much better of a parent I would like to be to my kids. I have a young girl (age 4) and boy (age 1) and I want to raise them in a manner where they feel they can do anything and are not constrained by society’s roles or expectations of them based on gender alone. I wish to live in a way that shows my friends and family what it means to be strong, loved and equal – redefining these categories in order to create a healthy space in my home for the people I love.

Samantha Feder, Ph.D. Student

I chose to pursue a PhD in women’s studies because it is important for me to study in an environment that encourages me to be critically engaged.  Women’s studies helps challenge cites of oppression by creating new academic spaces for critical dialogue.  It is crucial to identify how different forms of discrimination such as sexism, racism, ableism, classism, and homophobia are interconnected.

Pursuing graduate studies at the Institute of Women’s Studies is especially rewarding to me because I feel a strong sense of community with my colleagues. When reviewing important decisions such as program requirements, course materials and campus events, the faculty invites students to offer their perspectives and truly makes efforts to incorporate their feedback. I am so grateful to be working with students and professors who are interested in my studies and support me both academically and personally.