Wellesley, feminism, and normalcy
A few days ago, someone from Wesleyan this article about the downsides of single sex higher education institutions. The original post got taken down before I got around to reading it, but from reading the author's apology, I can surmise the stuff that she wrote.
I agree with this article which responded to the Wesleyan article. While Wellesley isn't perfect and by no means it is the right place for everyone, but it being a women's college was one of the highlights for me, though I didn't go in thinking that at all. I certainly didn't have any incidents where there were "bloody tampons" over the bathroom floor or having people scream "Death to Patriarchy" all day every day. I realized that there was and still is a huge need for total equality between the genders and places like Wellesley help foster that equality. What I got from Wellesley, the most lasting impression, was a sense of empowerment as a woman - every day I saw posters or banners across campus saying "Women who will make a difference in the world" and that became my mantra and inspiration. That continues to drive me today.
Incidentally, the Wellesley Alumnae Association did a cross-generational panel at the 2010 Renunion with alums from a variety of classes to speak about the feminist movement and how it impacted them from their undergraduate education to beyond and the videos of the panel just got posted.
I agree with this article which responded to the Wesleyan article. While Wellesley isn't perfect and by no means it is the right place for everyone, but it being a women's college was one of the highlights for me, though I didn't go in thinking that at all. I certainly didn't have any incidents where there were "bloody tampons" over the bathroom floor or having people scream "Death to Patriarchy" all day every day. I realized that there was and still is a huge need for total equality between the genders and places like Wellesley help foster that equality. What I got from Wellesley, the most lasting impression, was a sense of empowerment as a woman - every day I saw posters or banners across campus saying "Women who will make a difference in the world" and that became my mantra and inspiration. That continues to drive me today.
Incidentally, the Wellesley Alumnae Association did a cross-generational panel at the 2010 Renunion with alums from a variety of classes to speak about the feminist movement and how it impacted them from their undergraduate education to beyond and the videos of the panel just got posted.
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