WGSS Celebrates Class of 2021

Johanna "Jo" Bear

As a joint Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Theatre major, putting these two disciplines in conversation with each other has helped me explore and interrogate power on a systemic level, while also allowing me to analyze performances and think critically about the ways in which they engage with race, gender, sexuality, disability, class and nationality in their form and content. In the fall of 2021, I will be moving to Dublin, Ireland to pursue my MA in Drama and Performance Studies at University College Dublin and I will be forever grateful for the WGSS program and my extraordinary mentors, including Professor Day, Professor Misra, Professor Tripp, and Professor Mayora for their guidance and support in making so much possible. 

Nicole Olarsch

I minored in WGSS after realizing how much my interests aligned with those of the department. The professors in this department have pushed me to think in ways that I didn’t even think I was capable of, and gave me the confidence to actually believe in my own ideas and passions, and I am eternally grateful to them. Shout out to Prof. Rawal for an amazing Black & Brown Feminist Thought class. This class, although late in my F&M journey, helped me realize where my heart lies. As of now, I have a summer fellowship position with the non-profit organization, RespectAbility, in their Jewish Inclusion Department. After that, we shall see what the future holds!

Lillian Rodriguez