College Feminists Connect!

Meet the New College Feminists Connect Intern!

Hello! My name is Emily Holland and I am the new College Feminists Connect Intern for Spring 2012. I am currently a senior at Hamline University majoring in Women’s Studies with a minor in Sociology. I am looking forward to working with an amazing organization such as the MWC that continually works toward promoting women’s rights and connecting organizations and individuals across the state. Working for the promotion of women’s rights is a passion of mine that I plan to commit myself to for the rest of my life. One of my personal goals in life is to work in the area of comprehensive sex education and women’s health.

To give you a little more information about myself, I was born and raised in Minnesota and as I grow older I have come to appreciate the many wonderful things that the Twin Cities have to offer. There are so many incredible people, places and things going on here. In my free time I love anything that allows me to be creative. Art is one of the other loves in my life. I enjoy working with animals and children as well as exploring and traveling with family and friends.

If you have any questions for me please don’t hesitate to ask. Stay tuned for more exciting blog posts and updates!

-Emily

Highlights From the First Week of 2012

Been keeping busy enjoying winter break? Here are some snippets you might have missed while you were busy watching bad reality TV and enjoying the lack of homework:

"Employed Students Workload Puts Studies at Risk"

Women are attending college in record numbers and in Minnesota students are working more than ever before to help finance their education. Check out how college students are doing double duty - work and school - in this MPR article.

"Why There's No Such Thing as 'Reverse Racism'"

Our society still struggles with institutions that support domination and discrimination. For an excellent analysis of power structures in society definitely check out this article on Daily Kos.

"Yet Another Huge Comprehensive Study Finds that Abortion Doesn't Cause Mental Health Problems"

While reproductive rights were vehemently attacked in the last legislative session, we can rest assured that legitimate research is on our side. Ms. Magazine Blog reports on a new study regarding the long term effects of abortion.

"Bachmann Ends White House Bid"

After the Iowa caucus earlier this week Rep. Michele Bachmann formally announced the end of her presidential campaign. For more details check out the full article.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Check out facts and prevention tips regarding cervical cancer on Planned Parenthood's website or through the National Cervical Cancer Coalition.

Does Your Women's Center Have a Link?

Does your women's center have a link to College Feminist Connect? 

The College of Saint Benedict's Women's Center has a direct link for the College Feminist Connect. This link enables students to easily access information that College Feminist Connect posts and allows students to post blogs or find resources. The hope for College Feminist Connect is to have direct links on every women's centers page from every college or university in Minnesota. If you are interested in getting you school involved or applying to be a college feminist connect liaison please send a letter of intent and your resume to the College Feminist Connect Coordinator. 

Summer 2011 Intern - Maria Robinson

Greetings! My name is Maria Robinson and I will be one of the Summer Interns at the Minnesota Women's Consortium. I am excited to start the summer off on a great note, by helping out with College Feminist Connect, Facebook, Twitter, blogging and other activities here at the consortium. 

I graduated in May from the University of Minnesota here in the cities with a B.A in History and a minor in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies. My dream job would be a curator of a women's museum or the Smithsonian. However, my current academic focus is on studying for the dreaded GRE and not procrastinating.

I work full time at an aquarium, where I have the chance to see sharks and sea turtles every day. With school finished, I now have a chance to conquer the reading list that has been building up since freshman year, when I got my first text book and realized fun reading would be a thing of the past. I am also excited to start my summer ritual of watching every episode of I Love Lucy. As a history major I also enjoy doing research for the fun of it. This summer Hypatia the Philosopher is the person I am excited to learn more about. Last year I had the opportunity to study abroad in Greece, and this summer I would ideally like to continue learning Greek because my speaking skills are really lacking. 

I grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota which was, and still is very conservative. Lucky for me my parents are Strong feminists, they strongly support many human rights organizations and have taught me about women's power. My first memory of feminism was when I was five, I went to a Take Back The Night rally in my red wagon with my parents. I did not really understand what was going on around me, all I remember was that I wanted to be a strong women, just like all the women around me. I recently had the amazing opportunity to be in the Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies department at the U of M, lead by the faculty of strong professors and the most brilliant TA's. 

I have always wanted to be involved with feminism and organizations that are promoted to education and women's rights issues. I am excited to have the opportunity to get started with my post undergraduate life here at the consortium! 

Best, Maria