University of Richmond hosts gender studies conference

More than 230 people attended the biennial Associated Colleges of the South Women's and Gender Studies conference at the University of Richmond last weekend and more than 40 colleges and universities were represented.

The conference, "Emancipation Knowledge: Women's and Gender Studies Now," was centered on the work of its keynote speaker, Patricia Hill Collins, author of Black Feminist Thought.

According to the website, the conference focused on the following questions:

• * How do women's and gender studies programs offer emancipatory ways of education?

  * How do women's and gender studies classrooms bridge theory and practice?

  * How do women's and gender studies programs teach and develop activists for the 21st century?

  * How do feminist and queer theories potentially challenge other curriculum?

  * What possibilities and pitfalls do new feminist media offer?

"Patricia Hill Collins can engage with anyone," said Richmond senior Kosh Kempter, president of Richmond's Women in Living and Learning program, who sat with Collins at the opening dinner. Kempter was impressed by the way Collins had challenged those around her in order to make their arguments better, she said.

Richmond senior Abby Novak said that she had learned to do the same -- listen to peoples' ideas and try to push them even further. She said her mind had been "racing" while listening to Collins speak.

"I think it was a really great topic for reinvigorating students," Novak said.

Although the academic apartment planned the conference, many students presented their own work, Kempter said. It was a unique chance for students to present at such a big conference, she said.

The student presenters from Richmond were Alex Vlasic, Kempter, Katrina Minoza, Caitlyn Duer, Christine Parker, Rose Ann Gutierrez, Novak, Gabrielle Misiewicz and Spach Trahan.

Kempter presented the work she had done with Richmond economic professor KimMarie McGoldrick on gender in economics. Her presentation, "Leaky Pipe Line: Women in Economics," was presented at a 75-minute panel along with another student's thesis on gender segregation in leadership.

Novak said the greatest thing about the conference was she was able to present her thesis, "Development of Masculinity in Preschool Boys and the Impact of Early Childhood Education," to others who studied the same material at different schools.

"Our program has a lot of national recognition already," Novak said. "Hosting just gives us another chance to really assert ourselves in the national sphere in charge of gender studies."

Contact staff writer Brittany Brady at brittany.brady@richmond.edu