Author Archive | thomaspr

2023 HSS Scholar: Sarai Vazquez

By thomaspr on May 16, 2023 in Student Spotlights

WGS is excited to share our HSS Scholars! ? Our first scholar is Sarai Vazquez!

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Scholars Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the top two students in each of the 11 undergraduate major programs within HSS. Faculty, students, family and friends gather to celebrate our scholars – students who’ve achieved an exemplary academic performance during their time at the College of Charleston.

From Sarai:
Educational Highlights: When starting at the College of Charleston, I had no idea I would end up majoring in Women’s & Gender Studies. Though I didn’t declare my major until my junior year, it has since allowed me to understand my identity as well as the wisdom I will bring to the table as I navigate the world after graduation. At CofC, I have volunteered at the “”Yes! I’m a Feminist”” event and been a member of the Hispanic Latino Club. The wonderful community of WGS has both challenged me and encouraged me to view the world with an interdisciplinary perspective.

Research Focus: I have had the opportunity to complete an internship through Tri-County SPEAKS, a sexual assault advocacy and resource center. As an outreach intern, I was part of the team leading the Bar Outreach Project. Our mission was to educate and introduce training to the personnel of many Charleston bars on sexual assault and its prominence within the bar atmosphere. I have also served as a volunteer advocate accompanying survivors at MUSC for exams and working the 24HR hotline.
This internship has confirmed my passion to advocate for intersectional healthcare and to serve the disadvantaged.

Future Plans: My goal after graduating from the College of Charleston is to continue pursuing outreach and nonprofit work that will cultivate change around me and prioritize those in need. As an educated Latina, I have the purpose to disrupt and inspire, and I intend to do just that after graduation.”

What IFF?: Queering Trauma Recovery

By thomaspr on May 1, 2023 in Announcements

A new episode of What IFF? is out! We are joined by two trauma-informed experts to break down the misconceptions about sexual assault, trauma recovery, and patterns of serial perpetration. Katie Mai, LMSW, is a therapist with the Sexual Assault Services program at MUSC. Lyn Maples is an outreach coordinator and victim advocate with Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S.

Together, we analyze data on victimization to better understand what’s happening in our culture. Then, we use that knowledge to create supportive practices for survivor healing and improve educational tools to change social attitudes about gender-based violence.

To speak with a victim advocate, call the Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S. 24-hour hotline at 843-745-0144 or the National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.

Music by Clean Mind Sounds
Podcast Producer: WGS student, Bria Ferguson

Alison Piepmeier Outstanding Student Award: Maddy Landa

By thomaspr on April 25, 2023 in Scholarships & Awards

Please join WGS in congratulating and celebrating Maddy Landa (she/her), who has been named the 2023 WGS South Alison Piepmeier Outstanding Student! Maddy is double majoring in Political Science and International Studies with minors in Women’s and Gender Studies and Spanish.

WGS South is a regional feminist organization that actively supports and promotes all aspects of women’s studies at every level of involvement (formerly SEWSA, the Southeastern Women’s Studies Assoc.). The Alison Piepmeier Outstanding student award is named after CofC’s beloved Alison, who was director of WGS for many years until her untimely death in 2016. Alison was “a fierce feminist, promoter of the field, and public intellectual; and a dedicated mentor. This award was created in gratitude and in honor of her memory.” (WGS South).

This award is intended to support the research and professional development or activism of undergraduate students. As a fearless activist and superb scholar herself, Maddy wrote a STELLA research proposal that earned her the award. She is working on a research project with Dr. Jordan Ragusa (Political Science) titled Gender, Race and Violent State Intervention. The project aims to apply an intersectional lens to the documented gender gap in support for violent state intervention on an international scale.

In nomination materials, WGS director, Dr. Kris De Welde, wrote, “Maddy is emblematic of the kind of student that honors Alison’s legacy. Maddy is a fierce activist, a generous colleague, and a whip smart scholar. All of her endeavors are squarely focused on identifying and resisting oppressions – from her on and off campus activism with Planned Parenthood Generation Action to her internship with our Gender and Sexuality Equity Center, her off-campus support of refugee resettlement and her diverse areas of research in and across WGS, Political Science, International Studies and Spanish. Maddy is truly a remarkable scholar-activist that is deserving of this recognition.”

Congratulations, Maddy! You have made us so proud!

What IFF?: Creating Communities for Change with Mika Gadsden

By thomaspr on April 17, 2023 in Community Leader in Residence, WGS in the Community

The new episode of What IFF? features the Women’s & Gender Studies’ Community Leader-In-Residence, Tamika Gadsden. As a well-traveled activist and grassroots mayoral candidate, Mika calls attention to current issues impacting CofC students and the Lowcountry. Learn how to be more active in your democracy through the support of local organizations, historical archives, and community relationships as catalysts for change!

Also learn more about What IFF? on Wednesday at Feminism in Motion! Bria, this season’s podcast creator and producer, will be presenting about the podcast. And hear more from Mika who will be saying a few words as well!

Feminism in Motion is being held in Stern Center Ballroom on Wednesday, April 19th from 3PM-7PM. Drop-in or stay the whole time; we hope to see y’all there!

Feminism in Motion 2023 Program

By thomaspr on April 13, 2023 in Feminism in Motion

Feminism in Motion (affectionately nicknamed “FeMo”) began in Spring 2018 and is our annual celebration of student scholars and their work on gender-related projects. Students prepare micro-presentations and informational posters to showcase the projects they have been working on throughout the year. These projects, which span disciplines and subject areas, make for a diverse showcase of the WGS program’s best and brightest!

This year is our 5th annual FeMo! We hope that you can join us on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Stern Center Ballroom. The event is 3PM-7PM. Feel free to drop-in or stay the entire event!

Feminism in Motion 2023 Program

Statement of Solidarity & Support for Trans Community

By thomaspr on April 4, 2023 in Announcements

Today, March 31, is International Transgender Day of Visibility! This day is observed around the world as a way of celebrating trans and non-binary people by centering their contributions to society, elevating their voices, and drawing attention to the discrimination they face.

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Gender and Sexuality Equity Center, Multicultural Student Programs and Services, and the Office of Student Wellness & Well-being join together in solidarity and support for trans members of our community at CofC, and across the Charleston area and the U.S. South.

We are collectively opposed to the harmful attacks against trans people whether those originate in legislation and the carceral system, in reckless media coverage, on college campuses, or in family units. These actions are fundamentally about eradicating trans existence.

We are firmly against efforts to criminalize gender affirming and supportive medical care, the exclusion of trans children from sports, and efforts to outlaw the discussion of LGBTQ+ people and their experiences in our schools.

Trans people have existed for all of human history. Before Europeans colonized the globe, indigenous communities across the world acknowledged and celebrated multiple gender identities. Colonization redefined culture, identities, values, and norms, and imposed the European ideal of gender (man and woman) as a tool for the process of oppression. Despite the visibility that once existed, transgender people have been pushed to the margins and their experiences erased.

Our collective offices are working to change this. We are here to support, affirm, and elevate the voices of our trans community. We are committed to and invested in combating disinformation, drawing attention to the epidemic of violence against trans women of color, and ensuring the inclusion of trans voices in our classrooms, policies, and campus leadership. We are here to provide support through student programming, peer and professional support services, academic courses, and the facilitation of a number of trainings, workshops, and talks that make trans people and trans experiences visible.

Together we want our trans students, faculty, and staff to know that we see you. You matter. You are loved. You belong.

For more information on campus LGBTQ+ resources and information you can visit:

https://libguides.library.cofc.edu/lgbtq

https://libguides.library.cofc.edu/c.php?g=1016721&p=7364508

https://today.cofc.edu/2023/03/31/college-provides-resources-support-on-international-transgender-day-of-visibility/

Fall 2023 Course Brochure

By thomaspr on March 27, 2023 in Uncategorized

NOTE: Download PDF for most up-to-date course offerings for Fall 2023

Fall 2023 Course Brochure

Need an advising appointment? Reach out to Dr. De Welde (deweldek@cofc.edu) or Dr. Ravalico (ravalicold@cofc.edu).

Gender Affirming Birth Work for CofC Students

By thomaspr on March 9, 2023 in Uncategorized

WGS and our co-sponsors are delighted to announce a workshop hosted by Moss the Doula entitled: Gender Affirming Birth Work for CofC Students. This is a great learning resource for CofC students, and we hope to see you there!

Topics will include:

Context for what trans & queer families experience on the perinatal journey
Gender non-assuming language for gestation and birth related topics
Creating a trans-affirming resources & referrals lists
Supporting a client when they’re being misgendered
Myths & misinformation about trans-specific reproductive issues

Moss Froom is a nonbinary birth worker and educator living in Baltimore, MD. Moss offers trans and queer centered support services for people at all stages of their reproductive and family building journeys, and teaches other birth workers and healthcare providers how to provide support that’s affirming and celebratory of trans and queer families.

Gender Affirming Reproductive Healthcare For Faculty, Staff, & Community

By thomaspr on March 9, 2023 in

WGS and our co-sponsors are delighted to announce a workshop hosted by Moss the Doula entitled: Gender Affirming Reproductive Healthcare For Faculty, Staff, & Community. This is a great learning resource for CofC faculty and staff as well as community members in the Charleston area.

Topics will include:

Context for what trans & queer families experience on the perinatal journey
Common use terms & definitions for trans identities & experiences
Gender non-assuming language for gestation and birth related topics
Best practices for adapting perinatal support practice to a gender affirming model
Time and space to practice and ask questions

Welcome Gathering & Conversation with Moss the Doula

By thomaspr on March 9, 2023 in Uncategorized

Please join WGS and our wonderful co-sponsors as we host a welcome gathering and conversation with special guest, Moss the Doula! This welcome event will take place Thursday, March 16th from 1:50PM – 4:15PM at Stern Center Ballroom located at 71 George St. Enjoy a casual discussion and Q & A with us.

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