Graduation year: 2019
Majors/Minors: Gender Studies Major, Psychology Major
After taking Introduction to Gender Studies in my Freshman year I was immediately hooked. Soon I became a minor, and then a supplementary major, and now I am graduating with a full, primary major in Gender Studies. Most semesters my favorite class was a Gender Studies course. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, I was able to take classes in history, sociology, political science, FTT, and more, all the while developing a better understanding of gender. Because of these courses, I have the knowledge and understanding to see gender in action around me, recognize the history that brought us to this point, and discern how I can engage with it in a way that respects the varied experience of gender across all races, classes, sexualities, and other identities. For this and more, I am forever grateful to Pam, Linnie, and all of the professors connected to the department. I'm not sure what my future is going to look like, but I know that every day of it will be impacted by my experiences through the Gender Studies department at Notre Dame, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
This summer (2018) I had the opportunity to work with Becky's Fund, a DC-based domestic violence awareness and prevention nonprofit, thanks to the generosity of the Boehnen Family and their Gender Studies Internship Grant Fund. At Becky's Fund, I helped update and redesign our websites, created and taught lessons on topics such as masculinity and sexual assault to teenage boys, completed grant applications, and made informational materials for events. It was a great experience that allowed me to do a lot of different kinds of work in a variety of areas.
I look forward to this coming year, where I can apply what I have learned to my studies to help me get the most out of my final year at Notre Dame.