Gretchen Herb

Exit Paper
WGST 491
5/6/14

The Womens and Gender Studies program has given so much to the campus
and myself as a student. I began my journey in the department at the start of my
junior year. It amazes me that this program has only been apart of my life for the
past two years, because of the impact it has had. The program has given me a
different lens through which I look at life. The classes and experience of being in
Womens Student Union has drastically changed my like for the better. I hope to
illuminate what I have learned and apply it to my life after graduation.
There are various things the Womens and Gender Studies program has
taught me throughout the three years Ive been involved. Its difficult to really
pinpoint one particular thing Ive learned without wanting to discuss it all. I mean
for starters it has taught me my own rights as a woman. I was taught what rape
culture is and how it affects women everyday across the world. This aspect of the
program was particularly important, because I was able to apply it to my current job
as an all girls freshman RA on Fredonias campus. In the past two years Ive been
able to educate my girls about the current rape culture that surrounds them. I plan
on using the knowledge I have on this topic and apply it to the jobs Im placed at in
the future. Educating others and making them aware of these issues is so crucial in
the fight for equality. Another culture I was introduced to is feminism. Looking back
now I realize that I couldnt live without feminism in my life. The stereotypes of
feminism that were first introduced to me as a young girl were reclaimed and are
now understood as an adult. However looking back I realized that Ive been a
feminist this entire time without knowing it. Ive always had a voice, but finally
developed it in this program. Feminism is about language and understanding the
impact it has on others. Along with feminism I was taught the idea of patriarchy,
essentialism, and the history behind feminism. Feminism became something else I
promoted as an RA among my residents, and plan on promoting after graduation.
Besides feminism the program has created a comfortable discourse surrounding the
topics of sexuality and gender. The knowledge and acceptance of the LGBT
community has been brought to my attention through the program. Which has
helped me understand my own sexuality and gender. The program has taught me
about myself, along with how I perceive others. Almost all of the classes I have taken
in the Womens and Gender Studies program have been discussion based. From this
I was exposed to many opinions that opened my mind to the different perspectives
of the department. I was able to develop my own opinions from the program, while
keeping an open mind about changing them.
Perspective was the most significant thing I took from the Womens and
Gender Studies program. It gave me perspective on topics that apply to everyone
whether they are aware of it or not. From this I can take the knowledge I have
gained from this department and teach others. Knowledge is the currency to our
society. That is why I plan on using my knowledge from this department and
creating a discourse about these topics in whatever work place environment I end
up in.