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From the Director’s Desk

I had prepared my Director’s Desk letter, focusing on the admirable efforts of our students, staff, and faculty in managing the high level of personal and professional demand and strain associated with COVID-19. I threw that letter away. Today is the day after George Floyd’s memorial service, and this week I can think about little […]

Combating Anti-Black Racism

There is a strong body of scholarship devoted to understanding and eliminating anti-Black racism, violence, and oppression. This critical race scholarship often uses intersectionality to highlight how anti-Black racism is inextricably linked with gender, class, and disability, among other key axes of power. Drawing on this literature and the work of activists inside and outside […]

Center Students’ Works Featured at Moisturizer Gallery

Work by students in Dr. Jillian Hernandez’s Fall 2019 Latinx Sexualities course was on view in January 2020 at Moisturizer Gallery in Gainesville, a space that features cutting-edge contemporary art from across the country. Students displayed their final creative projects for the class in media such as video, painting, collage, zines, and photography. They explored […]

Celebrating Milestones and Accomplishments

Congratulations to our graduates! Shyamala Engelhart graduated with her MA in Women’s Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology in spring 2020. In March, she successfully defended her MA project titled, “Feminist Gerontology: A Course Syllabus on Older Women, Ageism and Activism,” with the supervision of Dr. Connie Shehan. Shyamala will continue advocating for older […]

Celebrating Undergraduate Student Research

This year, the Center’s graduating majors completed exciting Honors Thesis research projects that translate their academic learning into advancing scholarship and addressing real-world challenges. Through this research, these students help us realize the mission of the Center’s academic program to offer students cutting-edge education in gender, sexualities, and women’s studies; the intersections of gender and […]

Center Alum Transformational Experiences Shape Her Goals as a Feminist Professor

Dr. Marcela Murillo graduated with the MA in Women’s Studies and PhD in Spanish in 2019. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Santa Fe College. My incursion to the Center started out as simple curiosity. I took Dr. Shehan’s “Advanced Feminist Theory” class as an elective for my doctoral program in Spanish literature in […]

Gainesville Girlhoods: A Conversation on Girl-Centered Community Engagement

Local community organization leaders came together in the Center to discuss their gender-specific education, creative, and enrichment projects. The panel, featuring representatives from the Gainesville Girls Rock Camp, PACE Center for Girls– Alachua, and Girls Place, Inc. was moderated by Dr. Jillian Hernandez. Over 50 people, including students, faculty, and community members attended. The event […]

Center Events Bring Scholars, Collaborators, and Guests to UF

The Center’s Annual “Fall Reception” was held on September 12th. Center Affiliate faculty member, Dr. Sheila K. Dickison, of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, gave the keynote address, and was named the “Uppity Woman Award” recipient and Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, of the African American Studies Program, as awarded the Distinguished Affiliate Contribution Award. […]

Opportunities for Giving to the UF Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research

We appreciate the generosity of our donors at all levels. For those thinking of a significant gift, we have some suggestions: $250 Garden walk pavers for the Yardley Garden (honor a recent graduate or teacher) $500-$1000 Send a student to a regional or national meeting, or fund a student’s research trip $1000 Garden enhancement and […]

CGSWSR Faculty News

Dr. Anita Anantharam published the chapter, “Gender and Food Politics” in the edited book Asian Diaspora and Development (Routledge, 2020). She gave the keynote Address on “Ecofeminism” at the UF International i-Rec Conference for Sustainability and the Built Environment Resilience and was a panelist on “Diversity and Inclusion in Business” at the UF Inspiring Women […]

Dr. Elise Salem Presents on Women’s Role in Lebanon Protests Edna Saffy Lecture Series

As part of the Edna Saffy Lecture Series, the Center hosted Dr. Elise Salem, Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management at the Lebanese American University (LAU). A professor of literature, and author of Constructing Lebanon: A Century of Literary Narratives, she is an advocate for gender equity in Lebanon. She shared some of […]

Pizza with Professors

Approximately 50 students and CGSWSR faculty met for a Pizza with Professors lunch during the 2019-2020 school year. This event was organized by Associate Director and Undergraduate coordinator, Dr. Alyssa Zucker and the Women’s Studies Ambassadors, Priya Gurjar, Mackintosh Joachim, Lori Lootens, Skylar McIlvanie, and Victoria Megaly. Pizza with Professors provided an informal opportunity for […]

Congratulations to our Graduates

Congratulations to Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research’s graduates, earning Master’s Degrees, Shyamala Engelhart, Andreina Fernandez, Kaylee Kagiavas, Logan Neser, and Melissa Powers. Congratulations to our certificate students Pamala Proverbs, who is working toward her Ph.D. in Mass Communication in the College of Journalism and Communication, and Natasha Joseph, who earned her MA […]

Consider an M.A. in the Center

Come to the University of Florida’s Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research to Earn a Master’s Degree: The Center offers an interdisciplinary forum for the study of gender and sexualities and their intersections with race/ethnicity, class, and other sociocultural systems. Our vision is to use the tools of gender, sexualities, and women’s studies research […]

From the Director’s Desk

I had the privilege of listening to two inspiring talks by Center affiliate faculty members, one by Dr. Sheila Dickison at our Center’s fall reception and one by Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn at the African American Studies fall reception. Serendipitously, both colleagues focused their talks on the history and evolution of Women’s Studies and African American […]

Another Exciting Fall Reception

The Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research held its annual Fall Reception on September 12 in the Atrium in Ustler Hall. Director Bonnie Moradi welcomed over 100 guests including core and affiliate faculty, students, and friends of the Center. Associate Dean Mary Watt outlined the Center’s contributions to UF and beyond. New and […]

Welcome New Graduate Students

We are delighted to welcome our new graduate students to the Center’s MA program: Alissa “Sunshine” Adam, Chelsea Gifford, Sky Martin, and Justine Veras. These students bring a rich range of experiences and interests: Alissa “Sunshine” Adam graduated from the University of Florida in 2019 with a BA in Women Studies and a minor in […]

Center Alum Integrates the Arts and Therapy to Support Boys and Promote Change

Christine Joseph graduated with the BA in Women’s Studies in 2009. She went on to earn a degree in Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in 2017. She is an Expressive Arts Therapist at SailFuture group home. I currently work as an Expressive Arts Therapist at SailFuture group home where I provide counseling to teenage […]

Center Alum Advances Research and Praxis Centering Indigenous Women’s Resistance and Liberation Activism

Nathalia H. Ochoa graduated with the MA in Women’s Studies in 2013. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) at the University of Texas-Austin. As a feminist scholar, her work focuses on intersectional analysis of violence against women in Central America, Maya Kaqchikel women’s activism […]

Community and Campus to Celebrate 2020: Centennial of the 19th Amendment and Gainesville as a Hub of Feminist Activism

Danielle de la Torre is an Advertising major graduating this semester. She is completing a women’s studies internship with Celebrate Women 2020, a Gainesville initiative to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, and Gainesville activists’ leadership in the feminist movement. The 19th amendment, passed by congress on June 4, 1919, guaranteed all women […]

Book Nook: Recently Published Books by Center Faculty and Affiliates

Thomasenia Lott Adams, Taylor Wenzel, Kristopher J. Childs, Samamtha Neff, Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching Girls, grades K-5, Solution Tree, 2019. Dr. Adams is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development in the College of Education and an affiliate of the Center. Nancy E. Dowd, Reimagining Equality: A New Deal for […]

Expanding Scholarship and Teaching on Latina Feminisms: The Center Welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Garcia

The Center is excited to welcome our newest colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Garcia. Dr. Garcia, who holds degrees in Economics, American Studies, and Ethnic Studies, was drawn to her field of study after taking an American Studies course at Brown University. “As an undergraduate I went to Brown University, which is a very elite, predominantly white, […]

Dr. Maddy Coy and Colleagues Lead International Conference on Faculty and Staff Sexual Misconduct

With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Dr. Maddy Coy (CoPI, UF), Dr. Julie Libarkin (PI, MSU) and collaborators from the UK and US led a highly successful international conference (June 30- July 2) focused on academic sexual misconduct research, policy and prevention. This conference was the first international forum to bring together international […]

Two Graduate Certificates Offered in the Center

Students pursuing graduate work in the Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research will become acquainted with various feminist (and other appropriate) theoretical approaches and methodologies for examining the role of gender in cultural systems. Gender will be understood in intersection with other categories of difference, including race, ethnicity, social class, sexuality, religion, physical […]

From the Director’s Desk

The theme of this spring’s National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) Chairs and Directors meeting was “Gender Studies Under Fire.” At this conference, leaders in the field described and analyzed targeted attempts  to delegitimize gender, sexuality, and women’s studies (some highly publicized over the past year). Equally troubling, these colleagues delineated institutional systems, decisions, and actions […]

Harvest Without Violence

By Samantha Baugus, James Everett, Andreina Fernandez, Kate Fletcher, Breanne Hooks , Elizabeth Lunior, Isabel Miceli, Pamala Proverbs We hosted “Harvest without Violence,” a panel discussion featuring the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), in Ustler Hall on the evening of March 12. The event, a project of Dr. Manoucheka Celeste’s “Global Women of Color” graduate course, […]

CGSWSR Faculty News

Anita Anantharam was selected to participate in the National Women’s Studies Association Women of Color Leadership project. She was also inducted into the Huy D. Huynh Hall of Fame. Through this honor, UF Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs recognizes outstanding leaders who have devoted themselves to representing and advancing the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American […]

Center Launches Women’s Studies Major Ambassador Program

An exciting development in the Center this year was that we established the Women’s Studies Major Ambassador program. Women’s Studies Major ambassadors are selected based on their excellent academic and professional record. They gain valuable professional development experience by working with Center faculty and staff to advance the academic mission of the Center and representing […]

Center Alum Launches Stronger Than Stigma, Inc., Connects Entrepreneurship and Social Change

Gabrielle Magid graduated with the BA in Women’s Studies and minors in business administration and nonprofit organizational leadership in 2015. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Stronger Than Stigma, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL. As with most big decisions in my life, I didn’t plan it out and execute it gracefully. I stumbled upon […]

Center Alum Brings Feminist Analysis to Studying Climate Smart Agricultural Technology

Molly Green graduated with the MA in Women’s Studies in 2014. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of Anthropology at UNC Chapel Hill. Her engaged research on climate change, agricultural technologies, and food sovereignty is informed by feminist and decolonizing theory I first—reluctantly—began to claim the identity of feminist during my undergraduate […]

From the Director’s Desk

I have been thinking a lot about the importance of community and feminist intersectional praxis – the inextricable link between scholarship and action for social change. Many of us attended the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) conference this year. As usual, there was inspiring research, teaching, and activism to learn about. However, what was most […]

Another Exciting Fall Reception

The Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research held its annual Fall Reception on September 12 in the Atrium in Ustler Hall. Director Bonnie Moradi welcomed over 100 guests including core and affiliate faculty, students, and friends of the Center. Dean Richardson offered words of pride and encouragement for the Center. New and returning […]

Welcome New Graduate Students

We are delighted to welcome our new graduate students to the Center’s MA program: Shyamala Engelhart, Andreina Fernandez, Kaylee Kagiavas, Logan Neser, and Melissa Powers. These students bring a rich range of experiences and interests: Shyamala Engelhart has a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests include […]

With an Attitude of Gratitude

Thanks to everyone whose generosity helps the Center continue to thrive, including the following donors: Association for Academic Women Mr. Gregory R. Allen Dr. Marni A. Brown & Mr. Casey A. Brown Reverend Glen A. Busby & Mrs. Linda C. Busby Mr. Fred Cantrell, Jr. Mrs. Jean Chalmers and Mr. David M. Chalmers Mr. Evan […]

Center Alum Launches Academic Career in Race, Gender, and Environmental Justice

Alum Spotlight: Dr. Vanessa Fabien graduated with her BA in Women’s Studies in 2006. She earned a PhD in September 2014 in Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. As a historian, her research focuses on 19th and 20th century African American history and culture with particular emphases on environmental ethics, religion, and gender. […]

Center Alum Brings Gender Equity Lens to International Tax Consulting

Alum Spotlight: Aishwarya Krishna Iyer graduated with the MA in Women’s Studies and SJD in Taxation from the Levin College of Law in 2018. She is currently an International Tax Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwaraha Gurur Saakshaat Para Brahma Tasmai Shree Gurave Namaha Guru (Teacher) is verily Brahma – the […]

Remembering Poet, Playwright, and Former UF Professor Ntozake Shangé

By Bobbi Korner, Dean College of Arts and Architecture, Pennsylvania State University From 2002 to 2006, poet and playwright Ntozake Shangé was a faculty member in the then Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research. She worked with undergraduate and graduate students, conducted research on local slave cemeteries, and collaborated with College of the Arts […]

Connecting Art, Community, and Feminist Praxis: The Center Welcomes Dr. Jillian Hernandez

By Matt Sterns, MA Candidate, Women’s Studies The Center is excited to welcome our newest faculty colleague, Dr. Jillian Hernandez. Dr. Hernandez’s scholarship is located at the nexus of several important fields including Black and Latina feminist theory, Black and Latinx studies, art history and performance studies, media and cultural studies, hip hop studies, and […]

Center Affiliates Win NEH Grant, Put Feminist Technology Practices into Action

By Dr. Laurie Taylor, Center Affiliate and UF Digital Scholarship Librarian In August 2018, the National Endowment for the Humanities announced that they awarded $231,093 for Migration, Mobility, and Sustainability: Caribbean Studies and Digital Humanities Advanced Institute. The investigator team for the project includes Center Affiliate members: Dr. Laurie Taylor, UF’s Digital Scholarship Librarian and […]

In Honor of Dr. Mildred A. Hill-Lubin

By Dr. Debra Walker King, Center Affiliate and Professor of English On October 14th Dr. Mildred A. Hill-Lubin, emerita faculty member of UF’s English Department and affiliate and friend of Women’s Studies, left her legacy of “willful behavior,” audaciousness, and womanist social change advocacy in our hands as she transitioned from life into the realm […]

UF Well-Represented at NWSA Annual Conference

The University of Florida and the Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research were well-represented at the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) annual conference, Just Imagine. Imagining Justice: Feminist visions of freedom, dream making and the radical politics of futures, held November 8-11 in Atlanta, GA. Karleen Schlichtmann (MA student) Poster Presentation: “‘Just Imagine’ […]

Health Disparities in Society students empower the community

On October 20th, 2018, the Center’s Health Disparities in Society minor students and Dr. Laura Guyer worked with the Gainesville4All Initiative called the “Gainesville Empowerment Zone” to gather input from community members about community needs and ways to promote equity. The Center’s Health Disparities in Society minor provides an interdisciplinary, intersectional framework to examine how […]

Women’s Studies Major Studies Abroad and Prepares to be a Women’s Healthcare Provider

By Hannah Diasti, Women’s Studies Major As a first-year undergraduate at the University of Florida, I felt lost and in disarray. During that time, I approached Dr. Alyssa Zucker about potentially adding a Women’s Studies minor to my Biology degree, but she encouraged me to pursue a double major instead. I could not be happier […]

From the Director’s Desk

Diversity and inclusion was a prominent theme across campus this year. Questions about what this theme means and how it is enacted at UF were at the heart of student protests and activism, they were a focus in the substantial faculty hiring initiative across campus, and they were integral to the search for UF’s inaugural […]

Center Faculty Receive Grants to Transform the Curriculum Through Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching

This spring, an impressive number of Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research (CGSWSR) core and affiliate faculty members received grants to develop transformative new courses. These grants advance internationalization and interdisciplinarity, and they connect research with teaching to address pressing themes, questions, and challenges. Internationalizing the Curriculum Grant These grants from the UF […]

Alumni Spotlight: Karina A. Vado

Alum’s Research Examines Race and Gender in Science and Science Fiction      Karina A. Vado graduated with the MA in Women’s Studies in 2014. She began her PhD studies as a Florida Education Fund McKnight Doctoral Follow in UF’s Department of English in 2015. Karina’s research lies at the intersections of science fiction studies, […]

Alumni Spotlight: Francesse Lucius

Francesse Lucius graduated with her BA in Women’s Studies in 2009. Currently, she is an attorney with Children’s Legal Services / Department of Children and Families. I became interested in Women’s Studies in high school when I took a class on Women’s Studies and Literature. I had just moved to Florida from Haiti and had […]

Preceptor Profile: Cathaerina Appadoo

Embracing the Transition from Student to Preceptor By Dr. Laura K. Guyer Cathaerina Appadoo is a first generation American; her mother was born and raised in Haiti and her father was born and raised in Guyana. She watched her mother work multiple jobs while completing her college education because, like so many immigrant parents, she […]

With An Attitude of Gratitude

Thank you to everyone whose generosity helps the Center continue to thrive, including the following donors:   Ms. Kathryn Chicone Ustler Association for AcademicWomen Mr. Gregory R. Allen Dr. Marni A. Brown & Mr. Casey A. Brown Mr. Fred Cantrell, Jr. Mrs. Janet Fant Carlson Ms. Jean Chalmers & Dr. David M. Chalmers Ms. Susan […]

CGSWSR Faculty News

Kendal Broad continues to teach and learn about social movements and protest. This year Dr. Broad continued writing a book manuscript about gay anti-racism, presenting portions of that work at the Black Liberation: Life, Death, And Queer Resistance, Fourth Biennial Intersections Symposium, the Southern Sociological Society annual meetings, as well as at Race | Sex […]

Congratulations to Our Graduates

Congratulations to Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research’s graduates, earning Master’s Degrees, Taylor Burtch, Angelica Jazmin Carlos (expected, Summer 2018), Eva Newbold and Aishwarya Krishna Iyer. Congratulations to our certificate students Joseph F. Radice, who earned his Master’s Degree in Linguistics and his graduate certificate in Women’s Studies this spring; Ashley A. Holland […]