Learn how one's gender affects access to power.

Women's and Gender Studies

A Generation of Artists, Activists, and Advocates Are Emerging From the Women’s and Gender Studies Program

A conversation with students reveals the depth and breadth of a course of study created to prepare them to meet the challenges faced in an evolving society.

Learn about the myriad issues affecting women and sexual minorities.

Our interdisciplinary Women's and Gender Studies Program will provide you the skills to examine and critique cultural, economic, historical, political, social, and sexual issues using feminist and queer philosophical paradigms. Aside from learning about a cross section of feminist and queer thinkers, places and events, you will explore ideas such as how one's gender affects access to power and whether or not the idea of power itself is an inherently problematic arrangement. You will also have the opportunity to study how other factors such as race, class, sexuality, and ability further impact one's feminist identification. A degree in women's and gender studies opens up the door for careers in activism, education, law, medicine, nonprofit, politics, psychology, and more. We also offer a minor in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) studies, which investigates many of the same issues from the perspectives of queer theory and queer thinkers.

WGST Scholarships and Awards

Academic Excellence in the WGST Major Award

Amount = $600. To a Women's and Gender Studies major who will graduate that calendar year (Spring, Summer or Fall) and who has excelled in academic coursework in the major and, secondarily, in their other coursework and academic activities as a student.

Academic Excellence in the WGST Minor or LGBTQ Studies Minor Award

Amount = $400. To a Women's and Gender Studies minor (in WGST or LGBTQ Studies) who will graduate that calendar year (Spring, Summer or Fall) and who has excelled in academic coursework in the minor and, secondarily, in their other coursework and academic activities as a student.

Rising Star Award

Amount = $400. To a student who shows early signs of accomplishment in Women's and Gender Studies coursework. Open to any student who has completed at least two courses in WGST beyond the introductory course and still has at least two years to graduation.

Women`s Studies Majors

Amount = $5,000 (each). To two Women's Studies majors with a 3.0 GPA or better who have demonstrated an interest in Women's Studies by attending events and participating in initiatives. A two-page essay must be submitted to the department answering the question 'Why Women's Studies?'

The Karel Rose Scholarship 2022

Amount= Up to 1,000.Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Open to Education, English, and Women's Studies undergraduates entering junior or lower senior year and attending Brooklyn College Fall 2022. You may eligible to receive $1,000 for your junior/senior year at BC if you demonstrate the following:

Minimum GPA of 3.0
Demonstrated financial need based on the FAFSA
Completed your sophomore year at BC and plan to graduate from BC

To apply, please log into your BC WebCentral student account and use the following link for the online Karel Rose Application.

Barbara Winslow Award for Student Activism - B

Amount = $600. Award for student activism. For four Women's and Gender Studies student awards from the Kornblau Award account.

Groudine, Candace Scholarship for Women's and Gender Studies

Amount: $750. For Brooklyn College undergraduate students who have declared a major in Women's and Gender Studies. The award is to be given to however many students each year the Women's and Gender Studies Program sees fit. If no students meet the stated criteria, no award need be made in that year.

WGST Women’s Leadership Initiative

Amount: $250. Women’s and Gender Studies is uniquely well-suited to prepare students to become informed and engaged citizens. Here is a chance for you to demonstrate leadership skills in a community of your choice.

More Information

For more information contact Professor Namulundah Florence at NFlorence@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

WGST Women’s Leadership Initiative

Women’s and Gender Studies is uniquely well-suited to prepare students to become informed and engaged citizens. Here is a chance for you to demonstrate leadership skills in a community of your choice.

Learn More

Office Hours

During the fall semester, you may contact the WGST director and program adviser, Professor Namulundah Florence at nflorence@brooklyn.cuny.edu with any questions. All e-mails will be answered within 24 hours.

Professor Florence also has virtual office hours for students. Please e-mail to schedule an appointment:

Tuesdays: 1–2 p.m.
Wednesdays: 1–3 p.m.

If you have an urgent question, you may contact the WGST administrative coordinator, Irva Adams, at 718.951.5476 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Guide for Prospective Majors and Minors

Student Scholarship

The Women's and Gender Studies Program offers an annual scholarship to two outstanding Women's and Gender Studies majors (WGST). The scholarship is an annual tuition award of $5,000 ($2,500 for the fall and $2,500 for the spring semester), paid out over the student's senior year at Brooklyn College.

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WGST Gallery: In Their Own Voice...

Geeta Asamoah

Constructions of Gender and Sexuality in the Media grants one the knowledge and privilege to filter and understand why it is important for an accurate representation of individuals across different racial, gender and sexual backgrounds while giving you the intellect to have these conversations.

Learn More From Other Students