Women's and Gender Studies Major
Why Study Women's and Gender Studies?
Women’s and Gender Studies explores how our lives are shaped by gender and other forms of identity, such as sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, nationality and geography. Students learn how to strive toward a more just and equitable society. Women’s and Gender Studies majors study politics, theory, literature, history, sociology and psychology, and graduate with a broad range of career opportunities.
Why Study Women's and Gender Studies at Eastern?
Eastern is the only public university in Connecticut with a major in Women’s and Gender Studies. The program offers a quality undergraduate education in gender scholarship. Students learn about the achievements and activism of women and other historically underrepresented groups as they consider how gender and other identities shape social experiences. Students think about social change in informed ways and are able to apply their acquired knowledge, analytical skills and competencies to their careers and everyday life. A minor in Women's and Gender Studies is also available.
Salary Potential
Median salary, Health Education Specialist
Median salary, Public Relations Manager
* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Hands-on Learning
Internships
The Women’s and Gender Studies program offers internships at social service agencies in Connecticut, in the news media and with transgender advocacy groups.
Clubs
Student clubs and support services on campus include the Women’s Center, the Pride Alliance and the Pride Center.
Events
On-campus events focused on women’s issues include panel discussions and Vagina Monologue theatrical performances.
Faculty Spotlight
Michele Bacholle
Professor of French
“Nurture your intellectual curiosity. Travel and exchange with people from other backgrounds.”
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Cara Bergstrom-Lynch
Professor - Sociology
“I love staying in touch with our alumni and hearing about their lives after Eastern (families, work, graduate school) and all the amazing things they are accomplishing out in the world.”
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Career Options
- Law
- Social work
- Public health
- Media
- Public policy
- Creative arts
- Academia
- Grant development
- Public relations
- Journalism
Successful Alumni
Recent Eastern students who earned a bachelor’s degree in women’s and gender studies work at youth development agencies, women’s centers, and community wellness programs. They also work in information studies, academic settings, the legal field and in the media. A number of graduates are pursuing master’s degrees in women’s studies at Southern Connecticut State University.
Alumni Testimonials
Women’s & Gender Studies
Erika Sanchez ’15
Erika is a Bilingual Sexual Assault & Campus Advocate at the Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport. “We often see one narrative in main stream society. The study of women’s/gender studies pushes us to look beyond the societal systems that impact us, pushing us into a consciousness of challenging what is wrong in the world.”
Women’s Studies
Symone O’Hara
Symone is the office manager of Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven. “Utilizing resources from STEP/CAP, attending the Academic Success Center for tutoring sessions, and staying in touch with my professors allowed me to learn more about how the world works and preparing myself for my future goals. I will always cherish my time and memories at Eastern for giving me a chance to learn and grow.”
Resident Director
Katherine Rettie ’13
Psychology major and Women’s Studies minor Katherine Rettie is assistant director in the Office of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution at Berklee College of Music. “Women’s studies showed me how identity shapes how we experience the world around us. This is very relevant to my line of work as I interact with a diverse group of students; being aware of how identities affect experience is essential.”
Young Women Project
Belinda Kwakye ’15
Women’s and Gender Studies major Belinda Kwakye is a program coordinator at the Young Women’s Project in Washington, D.C. “The women’s studies courses I took at Eastern help me to view the world through a different lens—a feminist lens, which is especially important when working with young, marginalized people. My studies have provided theories that help me and my youth to better understand the world.”
School Counseling
Darianne Mastricola ’17
English major and Women’s Studies minor Darianne Mastricola is a school counselor at Shrewsbury Borough School in New Jersey. “I feel like the women’s studies program helped me find my voice, and I’m beyond thankful for having my eyes opened.”
