“The Lone Soldier”—Being the Only Advocate in the Room

To quote myself from the start of my first semester here at UMBC, “I have somewhat of a unique position in that I often find myself standing in the middle of the line–I am biracial, bisexual, nonbinary, and have lived below the poverty line in an upper middle to high class area. I straddle many…

Navigating Through Relationships

Image description: Rachael smiling while standing in front of a UMBC building. She is wearing a brown, long-sleeved top. Positionality statement: This post is written by Rachael Joslow, a third-year and student staff at the Women’s Center. In addition to my experience growing up as an only child with a single mom, this blog will…

Exploring Artificial Reproductive Technologies

Positionally statement: This post is written by Audrey Gatewood. I am a senior in the UMBC School of Social Work, completing my field placement at the Women’s Center. I’m writing this blog as a result of learning about reproductive technologies in my personal life, with the belief that other people may be interested too. I…

Being Queer Online Now and Then

My own personal digital journey through queerness was facilitated by my deep love of Sailor Moon, about which I collaborated on fanfiction with queer themes, where I explored my understanding of what queer love might be like in conversation with other fans of the show.

Reflecting on My Nigerian Community: Learning How to Be an Ally to Survivors of Sexual Violence

Arifat (she/her/hers) is a Senior majoring in Social Work and Political Science. She is working in the Women's Center this year for her social work field placement. Content Note: This blog is written from my experience as a first-generation immigrant and a Nigerian-American. After reading I encourage to think about your own identities and communities…

RVAM: Self-Guided Learning Week 1 (Oct 6)

Relationship Violence Awareness Month (RVAM) brings people together to create and generate discussion and skill-building on how to prevent relationship violence in our schools, workplaces, and communities, Since most of our campus remains learning and working remotely, we won’t be able to physically come together this October to do this critical work in person… but…

Mutual Aid: One for All and All for One

  Nandi is a student staff member in the Women's Center and a Junior English major. Mutual aid, as a concept, is based in anarchism and the work of Petr Kropotkin. His work, “Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution”, is a foundational text for anarchists and other communist movements. But really, you don’t have to…

Parental Guidance Necessary: Gender Equity in Parental Leave

  Alexia Petasis is a student staff member at the Women’s Center. Alexia is pursuing an individualized studies degree with a concentration on social justice and dance. She is a co-facilitator for Pop-Culture Pop-Ups. Originally with this blog I wanted to to explore the ways in which the gender wage gap could be mitigated by giving…

What Does a Leader Look Like?

    Briscoe Turner is a student staff member at the Women's Center. She is a sophomore Psychology major and Writing minor and a co-facilitator of Women of Color Coalition, a bi-weekly discussion group at the Women's  Center.    Do you know whether you are an introvert or extrovert? If not, take this quiz to…

Breaking News! A Girl Likes Sports

  Shrijana is a Student Staff Member at the Women's Center. She is a co-facilitator of Women of Color Coalition and leading the Telling Our Stories Project.      Growing up in a family who used to stay up until 4 AM watching football (soccer), I can say with true honesty that passion for this…