See what our minors have to say about WGSS and learn more about why you should join the program!

Justin Brown, Class of 2017 | Religious Studies major, Jewish Studies and WGSS minor 

Justin was introduced to the minor by his mentor, Dr. Amy Allocco, as a part of his research about women in Hindu rituals. What he appreciates most about the program is the faculty mentorship that came from it; Dr. Allocco and Dr. Cahill have specifically impacted in both his research and courses. He finds the WGSS courses to be intersectional, engaging, and dynamic, and among his favorites are LGBTQ History in the US and his study abroad course in India. When asked what else he’d like to share about his experience with the minor, he summed it up with:

“I would definitely say that, from my perspective, the WGSS minor isn’t just for people who identify as female. I think that more males should definitely look into the minor, since it’s a way to understand feminism from multiple angles. All of the faculty are so engaging and super knowledgeable, which makes all the classes that much better. I’ve found that I’m always excited about my WGSS classes, since I have had such positive experiences before. All the other WGSS students I have encountered have been knowledgeable and willing to learn new things, which is what also makes WGSS classes that much better.”

Taylor Wilhelm, Class of 2016 | Philosophy major, WGSS and Human Services Studies minor

Taylor is very involved in WGSS both inside and outside of the classroom. She volunteers for Family Abuse Services and is a member of EFFECT (Elon Feminists for Equality, Change, and Transformation). She also serves on the WGSS Advisory Board, which she says was a huge honor and has allowed her to meet many other wonderful feminists on campus who are engaging in very meaningful conversations and very impactful work. She values continuing the conversation about WGSS on Elon’s campus and with oher feminists who are dedicated to their work. Within the minor, she was inspired by the course Sex, Gender, and Power taught my Ann Cahill, and loved her introductory course taught by Leigh-Anne Royster.

What Taylor has to say about WGSS:

“I think when people see Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies, they think they know exactly what to expect and I would like to challenge this assumption. If you care about social justice and true equality for people of all kinds, then I am sure this program will not only greatly enhance your college experience but will also inspire you to become an active citizen in our constantly changing world. WGSS doesn’t just teach you about the many adversities that people in our world have, and do face; it also gives you the tools and the confidence to raise your voice and make noise! This program has given me the ability not to settle for the world we are given but to combine my privilege and my frustration to work for what we deserve.”

Audrey Griffith, Class of 2017 | Religious Studies major & Anthropology, WGSS, and Creative Writing minor

Audrey says she was initially attracted to joining the program after taking a few courses and finding that they push students to think about the roles that are assigned to us because of society, why marginalized groups have faced descrimination, and how to combat such discrimination. She has taken courses like India’s Identities: Caste Gender and Religion, and the Sex Lives of Saints, and has also completed SURF undergraduate research with a WGSS faculty member, Lynn Huber. Her research focused on feminism within patriarchal religion, and she found this experience very enlightening on both the religion studies and women/gender studies fronts.

Mentoring from Lynn Huber and Amy Allocco has shaped Audrey’s college experience as well and framed how she thinks about many life situations. She says that her “career will now be geared toward helping marginalized groups and understanding the currents of society that must change to create a better world”.

Why does she enjoy the minor? “Because the courses are a space for me to interact with other students and faculty who think similarly and want to impact the world which has really been a blessing in my Elon experience as a whole.”