Volume 161 | October 8, 2019

Our First Brown Bag Lunch Seminar

Pictured (left to right): Dr. Jameta Barlow (WID), Dr. Kavita Daiya (WGSS), Dr. Katina Sawyer (GWSB)

Thank you to all who attended our inaugural Brown Bag Lunch seminar last week! It was wonderful to hear from GW faculty Dr. Katina Sawyer , representing the Business School, and Dr. Jameta Barlow , from The University Writing Program. Dr. Sawyer's areas of expertise include diversity and inclusion, organizational psychology, and combatting negative workplace behaviors. Her talk examined how the formation of collective hope can improve outcomes in non-profit organizations and delved into her research on an organization that works to enable victims of sex trafficking to recover from their trauma whiles mapping the challenges and opportunities of working on gender based violence through organizations. Dr. Barlow's areas of expertise include Black women's mental health and well-being, intersectionality and restorative health practices in psychology and public health research, and utilizing decolonizing methodologies to disrupt intergenerational trauma. In her discussion, she evaluated how slavery and colonization affects modern day health practices towards Black girls' and women's health and how an emphasis on black feminism and using womanism as a decolonizing methodology can combat this paradigm in public health.

The WGSS' "Gender and Sexuality Brown Bag Seminar" showcases GW faculty and student research on issues concerning gender, race, and sexuality. Join us to hear Dr. Nemata Blyden 's research about the complex relationship between African Americans and the African continent in our next Brown Bag Lunch on Tuesday, October 29 at 12:00 PM in Rome 663. Be sure to RSVP by  Monday, October 21st  at  http://evite.me/gJMPCNXZpA.

Pictured: Dr. Jameta Barlow, GW Writing in Discipline

Pictured: Dr. Katina Sawyer, GW School of Business

Media and Gender

Pictured: Dr. Kavita Daiya (WGSS) with her "A Study of Women and Media" students and guest speaker ElsaMarie D'Silva (center)

Last week we were pleased to host ElsaMarie D'Silva , a Reagan Fascell Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy, in WGSS. A social entrepreneur and activist from India, D’Silva’s talk "How Media Impacts Gender Based Violence" showed WGSS 2135 students how her organization Safecity uses digital media to document GBV incidents in public spaces. These crowd-sourced stories are then used to create change by working with local communities as well as institutions, across many countries, to create safer urban areas. Safecity has become the largest crowd map on GBV in public spaces in India, Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria and Nepal. We had a riveting discussion about the reality of gender violence in India and how D'Silva is using social media to combat this around the world! If you missed it, click  here  to learn more about Safecity and how you can be a part of the change.

Pictured (left to right): Alyssa Rodriguez, ElsaMarie D'Silva, and Bea Mount Pictured: ElsaMarie D'Silva

Meet the WGSS Faculty and Staff Team

Kavita Daiya Program Director Director of Graduate Studies for the MA in WGSS Associate Professor of English photo credit: Sydney Elle Gray, GW

Cynthia Deitch Associate Director Director of Graduate Studies for the MA in Public Policy-WGSS Associate Professor of WGSS, Sociology, and Public Administration photo credit: William Atkins, GW

Kelly Pemberton Director of Undergraduate Studies Associate Professor of Religion and WGSS photo credit: Sydney Elle Gray, GW

Rachel Riedner Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies Professor of Writing and of WGSS photo credit: William Atkins, GW

Eiko Strader Assistant Professor of Public Policy, WGSS and Sociology photo credit: Sydney Elle Gray, GW

Sara Matthiesen Assistant Professor of WGSS and History photo credit: Sydney Elle Gray, GW

Daniel Moshenberg Associate Professor of WGSS photo credit: William Atkins, GW

Niacka Carty Program Coordinator of WGSS photo credit: Sydney Elle Gray, GW

Sarah-Anne Gresham Marketing and Outreach Coordinator Liberal Arts track of WGSS and Fulbright Scholar photo credit: belongs to Sarah-Anne Gresham

Bridget Duggan Student Administrative Worker Third Year Sociology Major with English and Sustainability Minors photo credit: belongs to Bridget Duggan

Evelyn Boateng-Ade Student Administrative Worker Double Major in Public Health and WGSS with Law and Society Minor photo credit: Kavita Daiya

Alumni Spotlight: Nikki Lane, BA '09

Dr. Nikki Lane , an independent scholar and a professional lecturer in American University's Critical Race, Gender, and Cultural Studies Collaborative, was recently featured in the GW Alumni News! Her first book, “ The Black Queer Work of Ratchet: Race, Gender, Sexuality, and the (Anti)Politics of Respectability ”, based on a chapter in her doctoral dissertation, will be published in November. Read more about how a WGSS degree from GW still influences her life and work here .

Pictured: Dr. Nikki Lane

Get Involved: Global Women's Institute Red Flag Campaign

Join the Global Women's Institute (GWI) and partner organizations for tabling sessions in recognition of the Red Flag Campaign on campus. The Red Flag Campaign uses a bystander intervention strategy and encourages friends and other campus community members to say something when they see warning signs of sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking in a friend's relationship. To learn more about The Red Flag Campaign and how you can become involved, stop by one of their tabling events beside Lisner Auditorium in Kogan plaza on Wednesday, October 9 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Thursday, October 11 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, and Monday, October 14 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Be sure to also follow their social media campaign through October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Upcoming GW Events on Gender

WGSS MA student Breya Johnson and some members of BYP100 are hosting a DecrimNOW workshop in preparation for the decriminalizing sex work DC hearing happening on October 17th. The purpose of this workshop is to provide a brief history of sex work in DC, present a testimony toolkit, provide language for whatever position you come from, and review policy recommendations. We are in need of support around decrim from #GW students and there is a need for the voices of people of color. Workshop Times: Today, October 8th from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday, October 11th from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Both workshops will be held in Monroe Hall 250. All questions and RSVPs please email Breya Johnson:  bjohns@gwu.edu

This Thursday, October 10th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Rights4Girls is hosting a screening of Nameless, a documentary created by partners in the DC Coalition to End Sexual Violence that explores the realities of sex trafficking in DC. Rights4Girls is a DC-based human rights organization dedicated to ending gender-based violence against young women and girls in the U.S. They work to change the narrative as well as policies that allow girls to be criminalized when they are victimized; and advocate for approaches that provide girls and young women with safety and support. The screening will be held at the 450 K Street NW location of Busboys and Poets. Learn more and register here .

Sex workers' tales straddle the boundaries of citizenship, nationalism, and internationalism. In "Sex Works, Media Networks, and Affective Labor in The Fourth Portrait ," a lecture and screening hosted by the East Asian Language and Literature Department,   Lily Wong will discuss the mobility and mobilization of the "Taiwanese sex worker," figure through transpacific media networks. As an example, she turns to the Taiwanese film  The Fourth Portrait  (2010) which tells the tale of a broken family held together by the mother through her affective labors as both a sex worker and the family caregiver. The film reconfigures analogies of "Taiwanese" identity that complicates diasporic frameworks of cultural authenticity. Affective labor plays a key role in the restructuring of social relations as well as the reimagining of cultural belonging. This free lecture will be held on Wednesday, October 16 from 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM in Elliot School of International Affairs Room 113. Register here .

At the three-day Women, Law, and Legal Advocacy seminar, college women from across the U.S. considering a career in law will explore the connections between legal careers and the legislative process in Washington, DC, see first-hand how to use a career in law to make a difference in their communities and the country, and gain access to a network of women ready to help them launch a legal career. Learn more about the event, held from October 24-26 , here .

The 1882 Foundation and Chinese American Museum DC are partnering to host the inaugural Chinese American Women in History Conference (CAWH),  October 24–26, 2019  at three locations all on one block of 16th St. NW DC: the Chinese American Museum, the Sumner School and Museum, and the University of California Washington Center.  The conference seeks to promote research and raise awareness of the contributions of Chinese American women in history. We want to address gaps in the historical narrative of women in the Chinese American community before 1965, in addition to fostering inter-generational dialogue and understanding in contemporary Chinese America. The event features historical experts, film discussions, writers' panels, tracks on history and culture, and community conversations. The event is open to the public. Registration required. Please click here to learn more.

In Divided Societies and Memory , a GWU colloquium with Queen's University Belfast, scholars from a range of disciplines will discuss connections between the United States and Ireland, and the divisions regarding each nation, and around the globe. Don't miss WGSS Director Kavita Daiya in her presentation, "Representing Partition, Division, and Displacement in South Asia, 1947-70." The colloquium will be held on Thursday, October 24 from 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM, and Friday, October 25 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM in the National Churchill Library and Center (Gelman 101). Learn more here .

For the past 8 years, the Darfur Women's Action Group (DWAG) has been working with its allies to bring attention to the magnitude of genocide in Darfur and its impact on women. It has been educating the public about these issues, thus empowering survivors to bring their voices to international and regional forums. This October 26th and 27th , the Darfur Women's Action Group, along with its activist supporters, students, numerous experts on genocide and women's issues and celebrities from all over the United States, will come together to combine their words with action. By addressing genocide and its impact on women, they will define challenges and develop strategies for ending violence against women and the use of rape as a weapon of war. Empowering affected communities. Register for the symposium here .

Join GWI in partnership with the GW Multicultural Student Services Center, GreenGW and Black Millennials for Flint invite for a screening of "Flint: The Poisoning of an American City." The film will be followed by a discussion with the film director, David Barnhart as well as a Flint resident, Rev. Greg Timmons, Flint Recovery Coord. Don't miss the screening on Thursday, November 14 , from 4:30PM - 7:00PM in the Marvin Center Amphitheater (3rd Floor)!

On Thursday, November 14th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at Kintsugi Cafe in The Eaton Hotel, Events at AW is celebrating the much anticipated book launch of The Feminist Handbook: Practical Tools to Resist Sexism and Dismantle the Patriarchy by Dr. Joanne Bagshaw, award-winning professor of psychology and women’s studies, certified sex therapist, and writer of the popular feminist blog The Third Wave for Psychology Today . DC is the first stop of her multi-city book launch and we couldn’t be more excited! VIP Tickets can be purchased and include a signed book, exclusive early access to the event, open bar and hors d'oeuvres, and more from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. General admission to the event is free and open to the public ( RSVP is required ). The event link is now live: https://thefeministhandbooklaunch.eventbrite.com

Women make up 80% of healthcare workers, while 60% of the industry's key decision makers are men. At the Women in Health Policy seminar held from November 14th to November 16th , college women from across the U.S. considering a career in health policy will learn how to make an impact in the legislative and political processes, explore hot-button issues on Capitol Hill, and expand their professional networks in Washington, DC and beyond. Experienced women who have broken the glass ceiling on both sides of the aisle are our faculty, and government, nonprofit, and corporate offices across DC are our classrooms. Register here .

Lead with the WGSS Student Association

Don't miss the WGSS Student Association Pumpkin Painting Fundraiser on October 16 in Kogan Plaza. Come enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with pumpkin painting, apple cider, and some sweet treats! Check out the Facebook event for more information. For the month of October, the WGSS Undergrad Students Association is also going to host "31 Days of Feminist Horror" on their Facebook page! They are extremely interested in hearing WGSS faculty and graduate students' opinions on their favorite horror films and what makes them feminist. Fill out this form if you're interested in contributing. As part of this campaign, the WGSS SA will be hosting a critical watch of Jennifer's Body on October 30th - stay tuned for more details! If you have any questions or would like to become more involved with the WGSS Student Association, reach out to them at GW.WGSS.SA@gmail.com .

Be a Part of Change on Campus!

Get involved with the collaboration of student organizations focused on gendered issues right here at GW! Voices For Choices, Girl Up GW, March On the Campus GW, GW Women’s Leadership Network, GW Women in Business, GW Students Against Sexual Assault, GW Women of Color, GW Feminist Student Union, She’s The First GW, GW Women in International Business, Women and Youth Supporting Each Other and GW Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Student Association are looking for students like you to get involved and create change on campus. To learn more about this collaboration, click here.

Job and Internship Opportunities

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Research Associate, Women and Foreign Policy The Women and Foreign Policy Program works to analyze how elevating the status of women and girls advances U.S. foreign policy objectives. The Research Associate role will support a book project examining the global implications of the #MeToo movement. The research associate will work with a senior fellow within the Women and Foreign Policy Program. To learn more about the qualifications for this part time position, click here .

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Equality for Women and Girls Program Associate, The Summit Foundation The Summit Foundation is a private family foundation founded with a mission to create a work where people can thrive and nature can flourish by making grants in three main program areas: Equality for Women and Girls, Sustainable Cities, and the Mesoamerican Reef. The Program Associate supports the Program Director in working to meet goals advanced through grant-making activity and through the foundation's direct engagement in appropriate initiatives. Learn more about the position here .

Feminist Majority Foundation  The Feminist Majority Foundation is looking for interns for their: Choices Campus Leadership Program, Education Equity Program, Girls Learn International, Government Relations, Media Team, National Clinic Access Project, Web Team, and Women’s Health Research. To apply for one, or more, of these opportunities click here .  Gender Equality Fellowship The Asia Foundation is seeking a dynamic student currently enrolled in a master’s degree program focused on international development or equivalent for an unpaid semester-long fellowship from September to December 2019. The Gender Fellow will support The Asia Foundation’s gender equality and women’s empowerment programmatic areas (women’s political participation, economic empowerment, and rights and security); provide support on gender integration activities across the Foundation’s programs; provide editorial and conceptual feedback on project proposals; and assist with logistics and events. Find out more here .

Join Our LinkedIn Network! Connect with WGSS alumni, faculty and current students by joining our new LinkedIn account! Following your subscription to this account, a WGSS Alumni page will be created. This will be a great addition to your LinkedIn profile. Add us to your network today! Connect here.

Contribute to the WGSS News Digest

Want your event, announcement, or news to be featured in our news digest? There is a process - please fill out the below form by Thursdays at 4:00 PM to have your event featured in our upcoming digests, which are sent out on Mondays. Find the form here .

The Generation Cry Edition

Pictured: Taitu Kai Goodwin

The WGSS program observes National Domestic Violence Awareness for the month of October and beyond. The following is a piece by current WGSS MA student, Sarah-Anne Gresham , on violence against women in the Caribbean for the feminist website, Women in and Beyond the Global . She encourages everyone to move beyond transient reactions to violence against women on social media by engaging in continuous dialogue and action. "While someone’s posting habits are hardly an indicator of how they feel internally, and while I cannot presume to tell anyone how to grieve, or how to express that grief, there is something disconcerting about the patterns of discourse on social media in times of tragedy. The Lorde, Audre that is, reminds us that we do not live single-issue lives. However, in stepping back to scrutinize these patterns, it is clear that, like the devastation in The Bahamas, violence against women is often reduced to a trending topic. For a few days we lament the prevalence of domestic and gender-based violence as a group. At the individual level, we are quickly compelled to move on and shelve violence against women for another day. For another tragedy. For another Taitu." Read more here .

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