Excellence in Our Midst Award

Geeta Asamoah

Geeta Asamoah

I had the chance to take WGST 1001 during the spring of 2021. Professor Shaw was patient and understanding through the instabilities of Zoom school. She betows on to us teachings and readings from authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Judith Butler, Kimberle` Crenshaw, Patricia Hill Collins, Audre Lord, and many more. I think my very favorite part of the class was the end of term project. Where we were given an option to create a public awareness campaign on any issues that were important to us; however it had to intertwine with the class, of course. My campaign was on the representation of transgender people in the media. Transgender people are typical represented in the media one of two ways. Either they are psycho killers or victims of hate crimes and suffer death by cancer from their hormone therapy. I learned a great deal through my research and knowledge from class about the transgender community. I would encourage students to take this class because it is an authentic means of achieving the basic understanding and knowledge of women, gender and sexuality.

Madeleine Escher

Madeleine Escher, WGST, 2023

I would recommend a WGST class, or even the major to anyone who’s interesting in how structures and systems rule our everyday life. Areas of study like philosophy and history can provide similar information, but WGST allows us to look through the eyes of those who are often excluded and ignored in other fields. WGST 3319 The Sociology of Labor and Capital is a class that focuses on the intersection of gender studies and labor. It really opened my eyes to the very real systems of oppressions that shape daily life in the context of the work force. Whether or not you intend on studying WGST, this class can provide you with an in depth understanding of your own positionality in your current or future workplace. Being queer and nonbinary, I feel so lucky to be able to study a major that centers the voices of others like me. Learning about my existence and the existence of other sexual and gender minorities in an academic setting has been so important to me when it comes to understanding, and radical self-love.

Tia McIntyre

During the spring 2020 semester, I had the pleasure of taking an intro to women’s studies class with professor Kannaki Bharali. Despite my senior year being the most untraditional college experience I’ve had thus far, I still wanted to make the best of it by taking classes that genuinely interested me. I’ve always admired the resilience, strength, and evolution of women in the history of humanity. All of the monumental figures of my own life are women - and I know, before them, women of power have also paved the way to their wisdom. It only made sense to me to journey into that aspect of my identity - to channel what I value - by delving into a class that encompassed what it means to be a woman in American society. Every single piece of information that I obtained during this semester, regardless of it being online, only further grounded me in the truth of how intricate the identities of women really are. Historically, we have faced such immense adversity, and have done incredibly philosophical and physical work to combat it. I would recommend taking a women’s studies class to any and every student during their college career. Whether or not one feels as strongly about women as I do, there’s still valuable lessons to be learnt in how they socially and politically evolved. Without classes like professor Bharali’s, such huge markers of history as a whole would be left unexplored.

Ayesha Saleem

Ayesha Saleem

The past two semesters at Brooklyn College have been uniquely remarkable. Given the current state of things, with the pandemic and online classes, albeit challenging in certain aspects, has also been rewarding. I have taken a wide range of Women’s and Gender Studies classes and they have been some of the greatest lectures taken with highly intellectual professors. These classes have allowed me to expand my view on life as well as the people that I live, interact and socialize with. One cannot go about the world without a nuanced lens, which is exactly what these classes offer.

One of my favorite classes thus far has been Global Perspectives on LGBTIQ Sexualities (WGST 3436) with Professor Paisley Currah. The class and professor challenged me in ways that helped me formulate and articulate ideas, concepts and beliefs within LGBTQ+ matters. I believe that taking Women’s and Gender Studies classes are particularly important. I would recommend taking these classes, not only for those interested in the field, but to also be a part of a marginalized and highly targeted community. To advocate against injustice. To speak up and to fight with our fellow communities for all of those underserved and underprivileged. I plan on taking what I have learned at Brooklyn College and pursuing a master’s in social work after completing my bachelors to further support and help marginalized communities.

Laura Banks

Laura Banks, Economics (Urban and Public Policy), 2022

"Introduction to Women's Studies: Sex, Gender and Power allowed me to engage with important feminist texts. I am now empowered with clearer ideas and more precise language when discussing issues related to gender in my daily life. I especially appreciated the course's focus on intersectionality and that readings included many authors of color."

Destiny Blackwell

Destiny Blackwell, Film, 2021

"There has been a road paved by the hands of the women that came before me. Because of their resilience and bravery I have more opportunities than the generations before me. I learned a tremendous amount about women by taking a women's gender study course at Brooklyn College. Not only did I learn about feminism and its complexed history, but I found a piece of myself. This course empowered me!"

Nikki Erken

Nikki Erken, Health and Nutrition Sciences, 2022

"I would recommend the class, due to its in-depth nature, and extremely interesting and enlightening readings. I learned a lot in this class, and I will carry what I learned with me for the rest of my life."

Ruti Joshi

Ruti Joshi, Undeclared, 2023

"I would highly recommend this class, even to students who are not majoring in women's and gender studies. The beauty is that I was able to acknowledge myself about a topic that is very concurrent today. The readings were highly educational, and the conversations were the best part. To be able to sit in a Zoom meeting to listen to a professional on this topic and use that knowledge to help me find my way in life is beyond pleasure and privilege."

Atheer Musad

Atheer Musad, Psychology major and Biochemistry minor, 2023

"I am a sophomore psychology major and biochemistry minor, and I plan to attend a medical school that specializes in psychiatry. I will recommend taking WGST 1001 course for students who want to explore the knowledge of women and equality. We as a community should support equality and awareness of women's roles. Anyone can be a feminist and fight for women and human rights. This course will help you to understand a bunch of needed knowledge about women's and gender studies. By taking this course, you support many people who live in the shadow of a world dominated by inequality and injustice."

Jadzia Rivera

Jadzia Rivera, Psychology, 2022

"I would highly recommend WGST 1001 because I was able to learn so much and explore so many topics such as intersectionality, dress and grooming codes in the workplace, and heteronormativity, among many many other topics. I was introduced to topics regarding women that I previously thought were too taboo/worldly to be discussed in an educational setting, such as sexuality and sexual health and the history of sex positivity for women. This class broadened my perspectives, and I have come out a more knowledgeable woman because of it. I am extremely grateful to have been able to take this course!"