Amelia Steinbach's Hopes and Goals for the CSW Program 2018-2019

Hello, everyone!

My name is Amelia Steinbach and I am so excited and grateful to be a part of Women NC’s CSW Leadership Training Program. I am a sophomore at Duke University, studying Political Science and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies. In addition to now studying in Durham, NC, I have lived in the city since I was two years old. Consequently, I have several strong connections to the Durham community, and am thrilled at the prospect of conducting and analyzing research this academic year in an effort to influence policy changes that will make Durham a more gender equal society.

For my research project, I am working with Felicia Browne from the Global Gender Center at RTI. After meeting with her on September 30th, I have decided on a more narrow research topic. I will be studying the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the ability of women living in Durham to access medical care for the prevention and/or treatment of HIV/AIDS. My limited experience studying HIV/AIDS has led me to believe that the most privileged and educated segments of American society often are not aware of the extent to which this sexually transmitted infection (STI) continues to permeate historically disadvantaged groups in the United States, particularly black women. As one of the most diverse and progressive cities in North Carolina, but also one with extreme racial segregation and increasing gentrification,  Durham serves as a fascinating case study for the analysis of the intersection of IPV and HIV/AIDS care. Additionally, the fact that Durham is a city with governmental and community leaders committed to building a more egalitarian city is beneficial to this research, as my policy recommendations will be taken seriously by those with the power to advance legislative change.

My discussions with Felicia, Beth, and Dr. Reimann have helped me to develop the following next steps in drafting my research outline:

1. Receive contact information for the Durham Mayor’s Council for Women from Beth and reach out for their approval of my research topic.
2. Receive contact information for the outreach coordinator of the Durham Crisis Response Center from Beth and plan a meeting with representatives from the Center to discuss the intersectionality between IPV and HIV/AIDS care.
3. Review documents and studies sent by Felicia which specify HIV rates in North Carolina, specifically.
4. Reach out to Amelia Thompson, Rachel Dizney, and Julia Giner of the Duke Pediatric Infectious Disease Division. Set up meetings with each of them to present my research topic and discuss who they know in the community that focuses specifically on issues of IPV and HIV/AIDS.
5. Speak to Dr. Megan Huchko (a professor of mine this semester whose work at Duke focuses on global reproductive health) to discuss more resources in the community relating to my topic.
6. Review current legislation in Durham and North Carolina relating to IPV and HIV/AIDS, both as separate and congruent issues.
7. Evaluate racial and socioeconomic segregation in the city of Durham.

Aravia's CSW Experience Hopes and Goals

Hi Everyone,

I am really excited to be joining the CSW WomenNC team as a research student from Bennett College. Our research topic is Perinatal Care and Incarceration in Guilford and Forsyth Counties. My hope is that we are able to use our research to advocate for women that are incarcerated and unable to advocate for themselves. I hope that I am able to become a better researcher, writer, and public speaker from this experience. I also hope to gain a few more mentors in the fields of public policy, public health, and social justice. Overall, I hope this experience makes me a better social agent of change!

- Aravia Patterson

Hopes and Goals for CSW Program Experience-My Version of a Superhero

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a question that is frequently heard throughout childhood. When I was little I used to say I wanted to be a superhero. Now that I’ve grown up a little bit, I say I want to be business woman. My personal definition of true heroine. A woman that controls a company. A woman that influences others with their every decision. A woman that molds ideas into products, services, innovation and progress. If that’s not a modern superhero, I don’t know what is. But I’ve always wondered, where are these women? Why don’t I see them in the news, the way I see Bill Gates or Steve Jobs?

As a woman majoring in business, I’ve seen girls in my classes. Yet, women remain the startling minority in high-level positions. What is the disconnect between graduation and a place at the head of a corporate C-suite? It is simple really. Women remain underpaid, underestimated and underappreciated in the workforce. We remain stagnant. Why is this? It is not from lack of effort or acumen, so what is it? My curiosity has led me to choose this particular topic as the center of my research. I hope to better examine the barriers holding women back from true equity within the business world.

I am looking forward to independently conducting research. I have conducted research that was significant to my intended field in the past, but I’ve never had the opportunity to choose my own topic and proceed with my own individual intrigues in my own way. I want to become more acquainted with research practices and explore which research methods work best for me. Also, the research topic I have chosen, directly impacts me. As a woman aspiring to be a high-level executive in business, this is an introspective look at what challenges I will most likely face my future.

I am excited to learn more about the issues facing the Durham area, which as a Raleigh native, was my backyard growing up. I am hopeful that the work I am able to provide will be helpful in educating populations and influencing understanding and policy in the future. Outside of directly contributing to my own community, I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to travel to the United Nations. I look forward to sharing my findings with strong women and men of different backgrounds. Sharing diverse perspectives and engaging conversations. Proposing solutions and reflecting on past experiences. I hope to build lasting networks and improve my interpersonal communication, as well as my knowledge of ongoing issues affecting women in the world today.

Zybrea Knight's Hopes and Goals for CSW Experience

Hello, 

I am so elated to be participating in the WomensNC project this school year as one the 5 student participants from the illustrious Bennett College for Women! I cannot wait to see what new opportunities, adventures, and new learning I will embark upon while being apart of the WomensNC project. 

- Zybrea Knight 

A couple days ago, the middle school students who I teach were learning about algorithms. Using their knowledge about algorithms, they made squares, circles, smiley faces, and stick figures by coding for specific commands. My middle school students, mostly students of color and both female and male identifying, each took unique and creative approaches toward coding for such images. In that faded yellow classroom with large windows to the tall oak trees, I felt the indescribable pain of knowing that tech has left so many talented individuals behind and will continue to do so.

North Carolina is prized for Research Triangle Park (RTP) as a hub for high-growth tech innovation and research. However, RTP, in its rapid growth, has left behind the individuals that make up a large proportion of North Carolina's population, women and women of color. This semester, I am looking forward to researching more on how to incentivize technology companies to improve their recruitment, retainment, and promotion of women, especially women of color. 

As a woman highly involved in tech, I have realized the population of NC tech companies are not reflective of the middle school students in my classrooms. Tech is heavily gendered, but, at its core, it exists as a neutral tool to solve individual and societal problems. For my research, I hope to focus on the structures within tech companies that lead to disproportionately low numbers of women, and even lower numbers of women of color, who apply for positions, stay within their roles, and move up to senior positions. 

Tech doesn't have to leave individuals like my middle school students behind. To actively include all individuals, tech companies need to do better in actively conspiring for gender and racial diversity. Through my research, I am looking forward to working with NC citizens and tech companies to make tech a more equitable space for all of us. 

I'm Definitely Going Back

Town Hall with Secretary General

In this photo from left to right is Cara Pugh (me), Caitlyn Grimes, Joel Tinkler, and Beth Dehghan. As you can see from our smiles we are thrilled because we are in the front row of the ECOSOC chamber to see the Secretary General of the entire United Nations. As some of the fellows put it, he is like the president of the UN. It was great to hear his report regarding gender equality in the UN. As a U.S. citizen this was also a great time to listen to questions from others representing many nations, many agendas, and many struggles. Simply to sit in that room and see first hand how issues are brought to the UN leaders was extremely powerful.

Panel Discussion about Education of Women and Girls

Meeting the Minister of Education from Saudi Arabia was one of the highlights of my trip this past week. She was truly a force to be reckoned with and with every eloquent answer she gave, she put the academic and social wellbeing of women and girls at the forefront. It was an honor to ask her about the cultural sharing of nations during the panel discussion. In her answer she mentioned that gaining new perspectives and sharing cultural practices is one of the main purposes of education and travel. She also helped implement policies that allow women to travel with their families when studying abroad so that "women never have to choose between education and their families." That policy shows with actions the importance of educating women, the opportunity is equitable and well thought out to ensure that the "opportunity" to learn is not simply a dream but instead, a reality for women and girls who chose to start families and educate themselves as well.

Finally, to everyone who made this trip possible, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to take advantage of an international event such as CSW. This time at the UN was beautiful because it was truly a time to have pride in being a woman, a Black woman, and a U.S. citizen. I feel proud that so many powerful men and women came together to continue our work toward gender equity in my lifetime. I feel energized and prepared to continue this work. Thank you! And I challenge everyone reading to continue the journey toward your own understanding of gender equity and racial equity. We're all needed to make positive change. I'll be holding us all accountable!

-Cara Pugh, 2018

An Opportunity of a Lifetime

 

I have felt empowered to speak up in front of ministers, ambassadors, NGO leaders, and many other leaders at the side events this week. My question today was regarding the cultural implications for Saudi Arabian women when attending universities in Western countries.

At this side event I learned about the current updates on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) that is impacting the health and wellbeing of students all around the world. One myth regarding this education is that it exposes students to information too soon or does not positively impact their health outcomes. In reality, CSE is a part of life skills training that implements gender equality practices, respecting others' differences, and expanding critical thinking skills.

U.S. Mission Discussion on Gender Equality: At this event it was great to hear an all female panel under the Trump administration. Although in many cases I found myself disagreeing with their politics, it was still refreshing to see women in such high levels of their departments such as the Department of Labor and USAID. One component of the entire week that resonated with me is that a diverse group of women must be represented in leadership. Often, there will be women in power that do not necessarily share my values or political beliefs, however they are just as much needed in order to truly reach gender parity in our government.