I used to be a 20-something Bates College student, now I am a 20-something Bates College graduate, trying to find my way in the post-graduate world. I like cats, feminist theory, Buddhist philosophy, running when it doesn’t make me out of breath, graveyards, metaphors, baked-goods, the color grey, yoga, reading, music, snow flakes, caffeinated beverages, fake flowers, critically discussing trashy TV shows, lying down, and watching good films with people I enjoy. Right now I also like desks. I dislike burning the inside of my mouth and getting the sleeves of an inner layer bunched up inside the outside layer. I was a Women and Gender Studies and Religion double major and my thoughts on these topics shape the way I view my life. I just moved to the Boston area with my boyfriend and am searching for a job in Education Administration or the nonprofit sector. I am also contemplating beginning my memoirs though who knows when that will happen. I probably have much to do first.
Hi! I found your blog through a link on the Bates website. I’m a senior in high school from Washington State, and I’m trying to decide if I should apply to Bates.
I am writing you because I also want to be a Women and Gender Studies major in college. Of course, this could change, but I was wondering if you could tell me if Bates has a supportive environment for feminists, or if your feminist ideals were in a minority. Were there opportunities at Bates to celebrate feminism and educate people about women’s rights? I really want to be at a school that allows me to be the crazy feminist that I am, and I thought you would be a good person to ask.
Thanks so much.
Sincerely,
Amelia Furlong
Hi Amelia,
I apologize for my late response, Bates hadn’t allowed blog comments for fear that someone would write something inappropriate or something (I’m sure there are many reasons beyond that but I know that’s one of them). But anyway, I discovered your comment and I’m going to respond to your question now even though it’s a few days late.
Bates and feminism, oh what a topic. The Women and Gender Studies department at Bates has only a few majors each year but it has been continuously growing since I was a freshman. My graduating class had the most majors to date and I know the class of 2010 has the same number of majors, if not more, as my year. So, of course, you find community among your classmates and we are a tight-knit community because we are so small. However, though we have a small number of majors, you’ll find a huge number of people actually take the intro WGST classes because they are known for being great critical thinking classes. I’ve had all types of people in my WGST classes and some of them were definitely not people I would think would take a women’s studies class.
I’ve spoken with my advisor about being supported as a feminist faculty member at Bates and she told me that the professors get together after various faculty meetings and unpack the meeting together- talking about what they found to be problematic and supporting each other in saying “No , you’re not crazy, what Professor X said about blah blah blah was racist” and so on. I thought that was pretty rad that the professors support each other as well.
For me, I managed to find a great group of very strong women- and there are a lot of them at Bates. Sexism, racism, classism, and all the other -isms are not tolerated by the campus community. If something happens, you better believe at least someone will speak up and the administration will take a stand.
However, it is a college, and there are messed up, ignorant people that go to Bates and messed up things that happen on campus. Sexual harrassment exists at Bates, racist jokes are said, and classist remarks about the surrounding Lewiston community are made. But unfortunately, that happens everywhere, and like I said above- these actions and comments are not supported by the Bates community as whole. (Political correctness is big on the campus)
But I can say I was an blatantly open feminist while I was at Bates- I wrote about it, I spoke about it, and I tailored a lot of my Bates activities around it and I never felt targeted by anyone. I had a great feminist group of friends where I could be open and as militant as I liked without feelling judged. When I expressed feminist sentiments to a wider audience (not the super militant ones like seperatism and such because those might blow people’s minds) people were receptive and affirmative. No one ever yelled at me or threatened me in any way outside of academic sparring in the classroom.
There were opportunities to celebrate feminism at Bates but there could have been more and there can be more if you make it more. What I’ll say is if you have the drive to start something yourself- a group, a poetry slam, anything- you can get support for it. If you want to do it, there is a way, which is what makes Bates a really cool place.
Well, I’ve rambled enough, I hope this was helpful. Please feel free to write me back and ask more questions/ say “Hey, you didn’t answer this at all”- I tend to get sidetracked when I talk about feminism or Bates. Also, if you want to speak to any professors or such, I can put you in contact with a few- they’re always happy to speak. Also also, if you end up going to Bates and you do create an event- invite me please! I’ll be the first to reply via facebook or whatever everyone is using these days.
Take care and good luck with your college search. I know it’s an absolute pain at times and at others it feels like one of the most fun things you could ever do. Such is life.
Warmly,
Steph
Hi Steph,
Just read your v interesting post on GenY. As it happens I’m a reporter at the Financial Times (www.ft.com) writing an article for next week on GenY and particularly how they’ve been affected by graduating into a horrible recession. (I’m 25 so not a fusty old Boomer!)
I wondered if you’d be around for a chat on the phone this afternoon or tomorrow about life post-college, the job-hunt, why GenY is different etc… What do you think? Email me if you’re up for it – sarah.o’connor@ft.com
Best
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I’m still trying to figure out how this comment thing works. I sent you an email via old-school gmail with my response to your question. Take care!
Warmly,
Steph