We are GWS 3500

ACTION: Go to an University Play that  pushes against the boundaries we have created to rigid social norms! WMU Theatre Students in “The Wiz”                                                                                                                                           On April 20, 2017, ...

My Mother, Karen Annette Ingram, was born on March 19, 1965, in New Jersey. Her mother, Lois Mann, was an African-American woman who was very creative and artistic. She worked on interior room designs as a hobby, but worked with special need children at a school. She typically took care of all of the cooking, housework and children. Her relationship with her mother was very close, almost like best friends. She would help her mother shop, cook and clean. Her father, Bolden Mann, was an African-American man who worked as an international Human Resources Representative. He speaks seven different languages and traveled the country, such as Germany and Europe. He typically took great care of the outdoor housework and providing for his family. They were a middle class family, who attended church every Sunday. Her father remains a decant at the church to this very day. Although, she shared a lot of time outside of the house with her mother, her father always shared great wisdom and s...

ACTION: Go to an event led by a woman speaker On March 23, 2017, I attended the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's Community Meeting, led by Dr. Mae C. Jemison. Dr. Jemison made history when she became the first women of color in space! She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering, as well as her Doctorate degree in Medicine.  “Jemison, who trained as an engineer before becoming a physician, is an advocate for STEM education and founded The Earth We Share science camp”-Kal Foundation  Ironic experience, to say the least! Mae Jemison not only earned her degree in Engineering, she too, is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated….Just like me! For More Information: Dr. Mae | www.drmae.com Kalamazoo Community Foundation | http://www.kalfound.org/About/WhatsNew/ViewArticle/tabid/190/ArticleId/183/2017-Community-Meeting-to-feature-first-woman-of-color-in-space.aspx Mae Jemison Biography  | https://www.jsc.n...

CURRENT EVENT:   Washington DC's 30 Missing Girls "The news pricked at the deepest fears of Washington, D.C.’s black community. Between March 19 and March 24, a dozen black and Latino children were declared missing by police in the nation's capital." -Time U.S. Imagine, finding out that your sister and other girls her age have gone suddenly gone missing...in the same area...in the same week! "When the Washington, D.C., Police Department tried to raise awareness about missing children and teenagers by posting their images on social media, the campaign backfired, sparking some national outrage and fears of an epidemic of missing children of color." CNN News. This story left the public in utter outrage and disgust at the ridiculous number of young girls that go missing every single day. In the Washington D.C. area, Latina and Black Girls have gone missing, without a trace. Cry for Federal Help! Interpretation It is amazing that the...

Blog 3: Examining Gender & Social Context  Especially Noteworthy After reading the article, "Should the World of toys be gender free?” I commend the toy company, Hamley’s, for its attempt to make their store "gender-neutral". "Rather than floors dedicated to Barbie dolls and action figures, merchandise is now organized by types (Soft Toys) and interests (Outdoor)."-New York Times.  By ridding their store of the typical segregation between girl "pink" and boy "blue" allows each kid to freely choose from a selection of toys. This store is a true example of how society can make steps to influence our children to be who they want to be. By removing, the "label" there are no right or wrong toys for the male or female child. I believe this change also promotes diversity, by influencing children to play with those who share the same interest, not the just the same sex.    Troubled-By "The conceal...

Blog 2 Gender in Social Context Benevolent, Hostile Benevolent sexism | the attitude that women are special beings to be cherished and protected. Hostile sexism | when women are objectified or degraded. Hostile sexism has three sources: a need to control women, gender differentiation, and devaluation of women. Based on the modules, I feel indifferent about benevolent sexism. As a woman, of course I would want me to place me on a pedestal and be cherished. Although, it may seem like a positive attitude towards women, it has it's disadvantages. My insight is that honestly, no matter how many categories and types of “sexism” there may be, sexism is harmful in general. Benevolent sexism shelters women, almost holding them to believe they can’t be independent. It places women in a position to accept rules telling them what they can and cannot do. Ambivalent sexism involves a bit of benevolence but it also some hostile. I believe ambivalent sexism is harmful. Men will pra...

ACTION: Watch films with your friends that feminists may find interesting and challenging On January 6, 2016, Hidden Figures hit theatres sharing the story of a team of African American Women Mathematicians that played an important role for NASA during the early years of the US Space Program. "In the early 1960s, as the U.S. seeks to surpass the Soviet Union in the space race, three mathematically and technologically gifted African-American women must cope with racism and sexism while performing vital tasks at NASA's segregated Virginia facilities." - Oscar  Katherine, G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are recognized as Prestigious and Successful Role Models to the Women and African American Community.  Not only These three women served as the main characters of the movie. All Mathematicians and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The irony of their story, sparked an instant interest to see this film, because I happen to be an A...

Prior to taking this course, I would not have considered myself a feminist. I always believed that a feminist were women who obsessed over fighting for women's rights. Honestly, I always assumed that feminist were advocates for the white women. As an African American woman, I do not support the oppression of African American people. After completing the readings, my definition of a feminist is completely different. Feminism is actually the fight for equality of  all  people. In that sense, I would now consider myself a feminist.   I was not surprised at my results from the survey.  I am an African American woman who strongly support equal rights for women of color, so it shows no surprise that my highest score supported Women of Color with 42 points. Liberal Feminist followed up with 38 points as second highest score. I agree with the Liberal Feminist belief that sometimes society holds the fal...

Hello, my name is Krystle Ingram, but my friends call me Skinny. Yes, Skinny! I am currently a senior at Western Michigan University studying Civil Engineering. Apparently, math is my "thing", and it is my minor. I grew up in a small town named Gibraltar in southeast Michigan. I originally came to WMU on a Track and Field scholarship. That did not last long! Nobody told me how impossible it was going to be joggling a collegiate sport and possible one of the hardest majors offered at a university. Though I miss running, letting it go was the best decision I have ever made. I gained three internship opportunities throughout the years, which has been a huge start to searching for a new job. I must admit, this is the first Gender Women's Studies course I have been enrolled in. It is somewhat nice to take a break from problem solving and numbers all of the time. Literally, ever class I take in my engineering program is based on mathematics. Three goals I hope to a...