The Women's and Gender Studies Conference is an annual event jointly hosted by Wilkes University and King's College.
2026 Conference
March 30 & 31, 2026 | 重口味SM, Henry Student Center
In recognition of the semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this year鈥檚 conference invites papers exploring what it means to be revolutionary, the evolving concept of citizenship, women鈥檚 roles in shaping history, and the purpose of education, especially women鈥檚 education, in fostering personal empowerment, civic responsibility and social change.
Keynote Address
- Speaker: Dr. Lucia McMahon
- March 30, 7 p.m.
- Jean & Paul Adams Commons, 重口味SM
Today, Americans generally take it for granted that college education is open and accessible to all citizens, both men and women. But during our nation鈥檚 founding, women's educational opportunities were more limited and their intellectual equality to men was not fully accepted.
For decades before colleges officially opened their doors to them, women in early national America sought access to an expanding array of educational institutions. In various letters, diaries, and school essays, women students wrote enthusiastically about their educational journeys and intellectual aspirations. As women鈥檚 access to education expanded, so too did debates about the socially accepted uses, capacities, and value of their educational attainments. While advocates proudly asserted that women possessed 鈥渁n equality of mind鈥� with men, critics warned about the dangers of educated women becoming too ambitious and egoistic. Ultimately, early national women were urged to focus on preparing for their prescribed domestic and social roles, rather than their own intellectual or career ambitions. That echoes of these debates can be found across social media today both reinforces the transformative power of education and connects us to a much longer history of negotiating gender, equality, and citizenship.
About Our Speaker
Lucia McMahon is currently a Professor in the Department of History, Philosophy, and Liberal Studies at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, where she regularly teaches courses in historical methods, early national U.S. history, and women鈥檚 history. Her research broadly focuses on women鈥檚 intellectual and educational history, with a particular focus on the recovery of relatively 鈥渦nknown鈥� women鈥檚 voices and experiences. She is the author of several books and articles, including Mere Equals: The Paradox of Educated Women in the Early American Republic (Cornell University Press), and The Celebrated Elizabeth Smith: Crafting Genius and Transatlantic Fame in the Romantic Era (University of Virginia Press).
Contact
For more information or questions about the conference, please contact:
Director of Women's and Gender Studies at 重口味SM
jennifer.thomas@wilkes.edu email link
Director of Women's Studies at King's College
Conference Schedule
March 31
All conference presentations will take place on the second floor of the Henry Student Center in the room listed.
9:30 - 10:45 a.m.
9:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Session A
Savitz Lounge
Moderator: Dr. Melissa Gaydos, 重口味SM
鈥淢orbidity and Mortality Among African American Women Across Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, and Postpartum Care: A Meta-Analysis鈥�
Presenters: Dr. Melissa Gaydos, Kahlasia Carter, and Charlene Dixon, 重口味SM
African American women in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of maternal morbidity and maternal mortality across the perinatal continuum, encompassing pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. These disparities persist despite medical advances and are largely driven by systemic inequities, racism, and social determinants of health. This meta-analysis examines phase-specific and cross-phase disparities in maternal health outcomes among African American women, synthesizing evidence on morbidity, mortality, and contributing factors. The results of this metanalysis show that across all phases, universal themes included racism and bias, access to care barriers, provider-patient communication breakdowns, and the role of community-based supports. Phase-specific concerns included inadequate postpartum follow-up and heightened mental health risks in the postpartum period. Findings demonstrate the persistence of disparities at every phase and highlight both systemic and phase-specific intervention needs. could be repealed through legislation; it was a movement that had been set in motion 30 years earlier.
鈥淧ink-Collared Jobs: The History and its Effects鈥�
Presenter: Patrick Height, 重口味SM
In this presentation I will examine the history of the now-dated term 鈥減ink-collar jobs鈥� during the rise of World War II in the 1940s. I will explore the occupations that were associated with women at the time and how these roles were shaped by prevailing gender constructs. The term pink-collar was used to differentiate gender roles in the workplace and reflected assumptions about the quality of work, pay, and interests associated with women鈥檚 labor. These perceptions created not only social barriers but also financial disadvantages for workers in these occupations. I will also discuss how the increasing presence of men in these fields contributed to improvements in both social perceptions and economic conditions, as well as to the gradual decline in use of the term.
Session B
Miller Room
Moderator: Dr. Amy Sopcak-Joseph, 重口味SM
鈥淩esisting the Mission: Indigenous Women and the Transformation of Gender Under Spanish Rule鈥�
Presenter: Cortney Keim, 重口味SM
This presentation examines how Spanish colonialism sought to reshape Indigenous gender systems in the American Southwest and Mexico by imposing patriarchal Christian norms on communities that traditionally valued balance, matrilineal kinship, and women's spiritual authority. Drawing on historical scholarship, the research highlights how Indigenous women adapted, resisted, and redefined gender expectations under colonial rule. It also connects this history to contemporary Indigenous communities, where women continue to maintain cultural practices and challenge colonial gender hierarchies. Together, these findings reveal a long history of disruption and resilience that highlights Indigenous women's authority and influence.
鈥�The Impact of Slavery on Enslaved Women鈥�
Presenter: Emma Henry, 重口味SM
This presentation examines the lives and roles of enslaved women in the British Caribbean and British North America. Emma addresses the lack of direct primary sources from these women as well as a few ways scholars worked around that limitation. She focuses on the ways enslaved women were viewed, the labor they performed, the ways they were treated, and the ways they resisted the practice of slavery. The presentation also addresses potential reasons for the lack of direct primary sources from enslaved women as well as why it is important to study their underrepresented lives.
鈥�The Politics of Disseminating Captivity Narratives in Colonial and Early America鈥�
Presenters: Sydney Arhberg, 重口味SM
In this presentation, Sydney examines the colonial and early American literary genre of captivity narratives, and the role that men, particularly clerical figures, played in their dissemination. In particular, she examines the beliefs and fears prevalent in colonial and early American society and the ways they influenced perspectives on and representations of Indigenous peoples and women broadly. The presentation focuses on the captivities of Mary Rowlandson, Hannah Dustin, and Olive Oatman and the ways that their stories were framed, edited, and disseminated by men in their communities to further societal and clerical concerns.
鈥�The Evolution of Women's Labor Rights Through the Twentieth Century鈥�
Presenters: Jessica Shea, 重口味SM
This paper examines women's fights for labor rights including better working conditions and bodily rights at both the beginning and end of the twentieth century in the United States. I argue that in the early 1900s, women had less power and had to rely on strikes against their individual workplaces to improve their working conditions, such as the Elizabethan Rayon Strikes of 1929. By the late 1900s, women gained more power, which allowed them to take part in larger fights for federal rights, such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963. I argue that women's gains in labor equality were the result of collective action, courage, and the refusal to accept inequality in the workplace. This paper shows how women expanded the meaning of workplace equality from individual protections to legally recognized rights at the national level.
Session C
Jean and Paul Adams Commons
Moderator: Dr. Jennifer McClinton-Temple, King鈥檚 College
Presenter: Samantha Hernandez, Natalia Niemirka, and Addison Bohn, King's College
This panel will analyze the film "Adam's Rib" from the perspective of feminist film theory, specifically through Laura Mulvey's concept of the male gaze. "Adam's Rib" is seen as progressive because its characters challenge gender inequality while reinforcing patriarchal norms. Through the contrasting representations of Doris Attinger and Amanda Bonner, the film shows how women are visually and socially constructed within a male-dominated system. While Doris embodies the stereotypical blonde bombshell, that frames her in ways that align with the male gaze and reduce her appearance rather than her thoughts and feelings. In contrast, Amanda goes against traditional femininity through her modest dress, education, and professional authority. As she rejects oversexualization, she still faces disrespect from her husband and opposing counsel, Adam. The courtroom conflict between Amanda and Adam highlights the fragile state of gender equality in marriage and the workplace, demonstrating how patriarchal power can persist even in progressive settings. "Adam's rib" represents a mixed feminist message, creating gender double standards while also simultaneously containing the critics within the conventions of screwball comedy.
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Session A
Savitz Lounge
Moderator: Dr. Ellen Newell, 重口味SM
Presenters: Dr. Gina Harrison DNP, PMHNP-BC, 重口味SM and Dr. Nicole ma
Journaling provides a powerful and accessible site for resistance against societal gender norms. Through guided reflection, participants will examine how cultural messages around productivity, appearance, caregiving, and emotional expression become embedded in personal belief systems. Journaling creates space to surface, interrogate, and ultimately rewrite these inherited narratives. By positioning the journal as both a private archive and a site of radical authorship, individuals can begin to reclaim voice, agency, and self-definition.and inspire conversations and actions towards gender equity and justice in healthcare.
Session B
Miller Room
Moderator: Dr. Lauren O鈥橠ell, 重口味SM
鈥淔emale Commodification and Dairy's Patriarchy鈥�
Presenter: Anyssa Day, 重口味SM
The dairy industry operates on patriarchal commodification: Cows are viewed as production machines, their value exclusively tied to their milk yields as females. Such treatment perpetuates assumptions about the female sex that extend beyond the dairy industry, bolstering sexist interpersonal dynamics between human men and women. This paper analyzes the intersections between how cows and women are controlled under the patriarchy and ultimately argues for the usefulness of understanding the industrial treatment of cows for feminist thought. It discusses how the commodification of cows, a matter of reproductive exploitation, reflects and reinforces the ways women's bodies are expected to perform in a bioessentialist, patriarchal society.
鈥淕ender Inequality in Unpaid Labor and Time Poverty"
Presenter: Alexandria Serafin, 重口味SM
The female experience of unpaid labor and time poverty is a result of a broken system rooted in a patriarchal society. The limitations the domestic sphere imposes still defines women. Men expect certain "duties" to fall to women, supporting the continuation of gender inequality that is a cornerstone of economic and societal expectations. This paper highlights the issues women face under the prospect of shouldering these burdens. The exploitation of unpaid work under a capitalist society, loss of economic agency, lack of expendable time, and consequently, a decline in worth and wellbeing are all factors working against women. Although large-scale change seems impossible to execute, in addressing these issues, we can explore a system that not only recognizes but works on behalf of women juggling the demands of society, the implementation of gender equality in the domestic and social spheres, and easier access to quality mental health resources for women.
鈥淭he Unjust Consequences of Lackluster Gender Bias Mitigation in Artificial Intelligence鈥�
Presenter: Avery Antal, 重口味SM
Prominent image datasets developed for training machine learning (ML) algorithms show that in all cases women are more commonly portrayed in their 20s, whereas men are shown in their 40s and 50s. Women have always been systemically marginalized and seen as "other", and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence is only enhancing societal gender bias. With new technology comes the responsibility of protecting women from new threats such as deepfakes, infantilization, and generative image stereotyping. By holding AI development companies accountable we can reduce the gender disparities that are displayed when we use large learning models (LLMs), ML hiring systems, and AI algorithms. Recognizing that data produced by AI algorithms displays sexually suggestive images exacerbated by gender-based violence is essential for protecting women. This paper argues that AI is generally unfair and detrimental to women in all societies due to lackluster gender bias mitigation that produces disproportionate outcomes.
鈥�Wife, Whore, Sister, Maid, Mother: Women Written by Men鈥�
Presenter: Kayla Kost, 重口味SM
Literature and media are the biggest reflections of society in the ways they not only tell stories, but also teach us how to look, act, and behave. The way women are portrayed in these stories stands as a groundwork for how women are expected to be in the real world, creating harsh stereotypes and unreachable standards. It may be dangerous to raise young girls on these sources of media-these stories might teach them to follow social norms and ignore their oppression later in life. This paper will explore the damages of princess culture (The idea that girls should focus on being pretty, passive, and admired instead of independent or strong), the harmful stereotypes of women created by film and media, and the types of female characters that are written by men, showing how these ideas of gender are taught early in life and reinforced constantly.
Session C
Jean and Paul Adams Commons
Presenter: Basma Al-Salam, Arianna Lai, Sarah McAndrew, Camilla De Los Santos, Cora James, Mallori Vanko, Emma Kelcher, and Emma Baran, 重口味SM
Our interactive session will present results from a 5-week photovoice project that explored stress and coping among 重口味SMundergraduate students. In this project, students documented how academic demands, relationships, financial pressures, future uncertainty, and social expectations shape their daily lives. Our session will center on the theme "Carrying It All," and will highlight that stress is not merely an individual experience or failure, but a deeply structured pattern that relates to broader gendered expectations and institutional norms. Eight 重口味SM students will each present one photograph paired with a brief narrative using the SHOW method. Attendees will participate in a guided gallery walk followed by a facilitated discussion connecting the visual narratives to sociological concepts and theories. The session concludes with collaborative reflection on institutional strategies to better support students and address gendered stress on the 重口味SMcampus.
12:15 - 1 p.m.
12:15 - 1 p.m.
Session A
Savitz Lounge
Presenters: Maria Conigliaro, Inspired Studio
Could the very mindset driving your success also be the barrier to your next big leap? In this session, Maria takes you on a journey to uncover your Golden Thread 鈥� the individual success-blocker wired into your brain. Using neuroscience and insights from coaching CEOs and business owners, she'll guide you to identify and rewire the beliefs holding you back. Leave inspired and equipped with tools to elevate your leadership and achieve greater personal and professional fulfillment.
1 - 2:15 p.m.
1 - 2:15 p.m.
Session A
Savitz Lounge
鈥淔emale Migration Experiences in Europe鈥�
Presenter: Emma Broda, 重口味SM鈥淕ender-Based Effects on Refugees During War and Displacement鈥�
Presenter: Taylor Ferrari, 重口味SM鈥淕ender Inequality in Education, Employment and Healthcare鈥�
Presenter: Miranda Woodburn, 重口味SM鈥淕ender-Related Barriers to Healthcare Access and Global Implications鈥�
Presenter: Emma Hernandez, 重口味SMPanelists are students in Dr. Andreea Maierean鈥檚 Introduction to International Relations (PS141) class. Their papers will examine the intersection of global politics and gender. These presentations reflect students鈥� ability to connect theory to practice, evaluate international policy responses, and engage thoughtfully with pressing global issues.
Session B
Miller Room
鈥淩egional Variation in Global Efforts to Address Gender Inequality鈥�
Presenter: Penelope Ziegle, 重口味SM
鈥淕ender and Access to Education in Comparative Perspective鈥�
Presenter: Delaney Borek, 重口味SM
鈥淪tate and International Approaches to Gender Inequality Across Regions鈥�
Presenter: Cortney Keim, 重口味SM
鈥淕ender, Religion and State Power in the Caribbean鈥�
Presenter: Abigail Cruz, 重口味SM
Panelists will explore the relationship between policymaking and the advancement of gender equality worldwide. They are students in Dr. Andreea Maierean鈥檚 Introduction to International Relations (PS141) class. These presentations reflect students鈥� ability to connect theory to practice, evaluate international policy responses, and engage thoughtfully with pressing global issues
Session C
Jean and Paul Adams Commons
鈥淕ender, Labor Access and International Economic Consequences鈥�
Presenter: Madison Wall, 重口味SM
鈥淕lobal Economic Policy and Its Unequal Effects on Women鈥�
Presenter: Alton Smargiassi, 重口味SM
鈥淩egional Differences in How Labor Systems Shape Women鈥檚 Lives鈥�
Presenter: Abby LeGars, 重口味SM
鈥淔emale Political Participation in Sierra Leone, Kosovo and Jordan鈥�
Presenter: Michael Santini, 重口味SM
Panelists will explore the roles and challenges of women in the spheres of labor and politics. Presenters will discuss the influence of women in shaping policies, while also addressing the critical challenges they face in the workforce and politics and during times of conflict. They are students in Dr. Andreea Maierean鈥檚 Introduction to International Relations (PS141) class.
2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Session A
Savitz Lounge
Moderator: Kalen Churcher, 重口味SM
Presenter: Ass茅tou Xango, 重口味SM
This is a 101 Gender Course with a twist. Learn the basics of gender v. sex v. sexual orientation and ask any questions you've been afraid to ask. Then do the one thing all of us can do to make trans people safer, turn a reflective lens on yourself and your relationship to your own gender. The truth is the gender binary works for none of us. We all have parts of us that spill out from such restrictive categories. Whether you are trans, cis or questioning, this is a safe space to come together and challenge the status quo that keeps our trans siblings from receiving the brunt of the harm of our society.
Session B
Miller Room
Moderator: Dr. Jennifer McClinton-Temple, King鈥檚 College
Presenters: Samantha Berlew, Katelyn Moses, and Darlene Nunez, King's College
In the satirical opera The Beggar鈥檚 Opera by John Gay, audiences are introduced to a world of thieves, romance, and social
critique in 18th-century London. The work offers a pointed commentary on marriage
during a time when women鈥檚 social and economic security depended heavily on matrimony,
as few opportunities existed for women to live independently. In the opera, the thief-catcher
Peachum profits from criminal activity yet opposes his daughter Polly鈥檚 marriage to
the highwayman Macheath out of concern for his wealth, leading to a series of conflicts
involving Polly and Lucy Lockit, who also claims Macheath鈥檚 affection. Through these
characters and their entanglements, the opera satirizes the hypocrisy of those in
power and highlights how marriage functioned as an economic and social arrangement
rather than a romantic union. We will compare this depiction of marriage to contemporary
views to reveal how marriage has evolved in many Western societies, where changing
gender roles, declining social pressure, and alternative relationship structures have
made marriage less of a necessity and more a personal choice.
Session C
Jean and Paul Adams Commons
Moderator: Dr. Valerie Kepner, King鈥檚 College
鈥淭he Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Society鈥�
Presenters: Molly Veach, Gabriela Gronkowski, and Salem Folkenroth, King's College
Gender stereotypes have long influenced the way society views its own people, enforcing different social expectations on a person purely based on whether they are male or female. Individuals are taught how or how not to act based on their sex. These patterns of social expectations are commonly known as gender stereotypes and often grow to shape how we view people and the way we jump to conclusions about a person. Gender stereotypes are widely held beliefs and views on the way a person should act according to their sex. Often, these views, learned through culture, family, education, and religion shape a person's identity and the role they play in society. Historically, gender stereotypes have shaped societies' expectations of authority, leadership, and influence education and career opportunities for individuals, limiting equality within society. While they may seem harmless, gender stereotypes have a considerable influence on the systems of society.
鈥淒o Women Need College? Exploring the Interaction of Gender and Higher Education in Raising Earnings鈥�
Presenters: Allison Malone, King's College
This project is intended to demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between the rate of attaining higher education degrees and higher income in the United States. In my research, I am using multiple regression analysis to observe the potential impacts of gender, parental degree levels, and education levels on a person's salary. Multiple regression will be used to determine the significance of each of these variables independently on salary income, if there is a significant impact, as well as because isolating these variables will allow me to conclude whether these independent variables have any correlation with salary earnings at all. Overall, this research will potentially demonstrate how gender in different levels of education impacts future salary earnings.
鈥淓xpanding the Democratic Rights for Women鈥�
Presenters: Alana Germano, King's College,
For decades, women were legally excluded from political participation, reinforcing a broader system of inequality. Historical forces have sustained the exclusion of women, patriarchal legal doctrines, cultural norms about women's roles, and institutional resistance to expanding democratic participation. We will analyze the struggle for voting rights as a defining gender-based civil rights issue. The ratification of the 19th Amendment marked a transformative victory for women. We propose a set of modern policy measures aimed at strengthening women's political representation, civic education, and protections against voter suppression.
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
Session A
Miller Room
Moderator: Dr. Lisa Reynolds, 重口味SM
鈥淯sing AI-Assisted Qualitative Coding to Examine an After-School Program鈥�
Presenters: Dr. Moe Woodard, 重口味SM and Yuna Dai, Drexel University
Despite technological advancements and the United States expecting careers in technology to grow, Black women remain underrepresented in computer science. As a result, researchers have developed and utilized culturally responsive methods to engage Black middle school girls in the field. This presentation examines an after-school program, guided by culturally responsive computing framework, designed to support Black girls' creativity as they learned to code virtual chatbots using Python. We used a mixed approach to analyze semi-structured student interviews and student-generated Python code. We used Epistemic Network Analysis to analyze the interview data, and ChatGPT to qualitatively code the Python code. The merging of these methods highlighted the nuances of the students' identity development as computer scientists and creativity. The findings of this study revealed the effectiveness of culturally responsive curricula for Black girls in computer science, while also emphasizing the usefulness of integrating large language models with human analysis.
鈥淓xploring Black Girl's Creativity in an After-School Program鈥�
Presenters: Dr. Moe Woodard, Taylor Hall, and Yulaini Johnson, 重口味SM
Researchers have employed culturally responsive methods to address the underrepresentation of Black women in computer science fields. This presentation examines an after-school program guided by a culturally responsive computing framework to explore Black girls' creativity as they engage in an authentic computer science project. Over the course of the program, participants meet weekly after school to learn to code Python, using the Raspberry Pi. They will use this coding language to create stop-motion films. Quantitative ethnographic methods guided the design of the study and data analysis, including semi-structured interviews, survey results, and observation notes. We have drawn on previous results that demonstrate the strengths of the program in regard to engagement, creative problem-solving, and bolstering self-concept to support initiatives designed to encourage the participation of Black women in STEM-related fields. This presentation serves to generate opportunities for marginalized students to learn through approaches and curriculum designed to appreciate their cultural heritage.
"From Discourse to World Models: Embodiment, Memory, and Representation in LLM Roleplay鈥�
Presenter: Dr. Anthony Kapolka, 重口味SM
Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly used as roleplay agents and social companions, yet they routinely produce flattened, ahistorical, and ethically troubling representations of identity. Existing critiques often focus on biased data or harmful content; I argue there is a deeper structural problem. Contemporary LLM roleplay systems lack embodied world models and persistent memory, causing characters to exist primarily as discourse rather than physical agents. Drawing on narratology and intersectional feminist perspectives, I propose an embodied narrative architecture separating semantic intent (dialogue), physical world state (actions), and narrative rendering (prose), supported by stratified memory and stage-specific retrieval. Three illustrative cases-disabled bodies (erasing physical constraint), Asian women (a forced binary between racial erasure and sexualized symbolic embodiment), and Black men (hypervisibility as power coupled with erasure of vulnerability)-demonstrate representational harm emerges from disembodied system design. I conclude that embodiment and memory are preconditions for ethical representation in computational narrative systems.
Session B
Savtiz Lounge
Moderator: Erica Acosta, 重口味SM
Presenters: Dr. Azza Almeky and Noor Almeky, 重口味SM
This presentation focuses on breaking the stigma surrounding the hijab and challenging the stereotypes often attached to it. The hijab is frequently misunderstood, especially in media and social spaces, where it is portrayed through narrow or negative narratives. By exploring real experiences and cultural context, this session highlights that wearing the hijab is not about oppression, but about faith, identity, and personal choice. The discussion centers on reclaiming the narrative and encouraging understanding instead of assumptions. Attendees will leave with a more informed perspective and a deeper appreciation for what the hijab represents to many Muslim women today.
Session C
Jean and Paul Adams Commons
Moderator: Dr. Margarita Rose, King鈥檚 College
鈥淰iolence Against Women鈥�
Presenters: Krista Papura, Jonathan Close, and Paul Martinez, King鈥檚 College
Individuals of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultures are impacted by the widespread global and local human rights issue of violence against women. The frequency and types of violence against women, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and psychological abuse, will be discussed in this essay along with the institutional, social, and cultural factors that contribute to its continuation. These issues will be brought up in a number of ways, such as stigma, fear of retaliation, and insufficient legal protections. Underreporting and a lack of accountability for offenders result from this. The paper also examines the immediate and long-term effects of violence on women's economic security, mental health, and physical health. The paper ends by suggesting workable and policy-based solutions, such as increased access to support services, more law enforcement, gender equality education, and community initiatives that prioritize prevention. Governments, organizations, and communities must work together to address violence against women in order to bring long-lasting noticeable change.
鈥淕ender Medical Gaps and Bias鈥�
Presenters: Emma McNamee, Anni Encarnacion Peralta, and Ivanna Figueroa Felix, King鈥檚 College
Although women make up about half of the world's population, they are severely understudied and almost completely overlooked. The medical field has fallen short as studies have focused primarily on men, with most of the available knowledge centered on male health. Even funding of women's health studies is inconsequential compared to that of men. Gender gaps are not only found in the research aspect of the medical field, but also in clinical practice. Women presenting with symptoms varied from the male-centered diagnostic criteria are dismissed and signed off as too emotional. There are clear and stereotypical infrastructure issues within the medical field that have not begun to be addressed, leading to inaccurate diagnoses, a lack of treatment, and access to the care they need. Identifying gaps will help to suggest reforms to push for change of stereotypes, funding, research standards, and criteria at both institutional and individual levels.
"Behind the Seams: Women's Labor within India's Garment Industry鈥�
Presenter: Isabella Busillo, King鈥檚 College
Beaded and embroidered garments sold in the United States often begin their journey in India's textile industry, where millions of women contribute their skilled labor to global supply chains. Despite strong ongoing trade relations between the United States and India, there is a growing concern over women's labor conditions. While India's textile industry provides economic opportunity, much of the production takes place in informal settings with limited labor protections. This presentation explores how women's labor in India's textile industry is connected with broader questions of gender and global responsibility. As conversations around ethical sourcing and fair labor practices expand, they raise important questions about who profits from India's textile industry and who remains vulnerable, bearing the social and economic costs within it.
5 - 6:15 p.m.
5 - 6:15 p.m.
Session A
Savtiz Lounge
"Marriage in Jane Austen's Emma"
Presenters: Caroline Liebmann, Caitlin Kirk, Sylvia Moenga, and Grace Romanowski, King's CollegeIn the 19th century, social rank strongly influenced marriage and women鈥檚 roles in society, with family name and inherited wealth determining status and shaping marital prospects. In Emma, Jane Austen portrays a society in which women often relied on marriage for financial security and social standing, as opportunities for independence were limited. Through characters such as Harriet Smith, Jane Fairfax, and the impoverished Bates women, the novel highlights the consequences of limited economic options and the expectation that women marry within their social class. Unlike these characters, Emma Woodhouse enjoys unusual financial security due to her family鈥檚 wealth, allowing her to resist the social pressure to marry. This independence enables her to engage freely in social life and matchmaking, though her privilege initially fuels arrogance and poor judgment. Ultimately, Emma鈥檚 freedom from economic necessity creates the space for self-reflection and moral growth, allowing marriage to become a personal choice rather than a social requirement.
"From Duty to Choice: Evolving Expectations of Marriage and Motherhood in Three Generations of Filipino Women"
Presenter: Chriscel Tolentino, University of Scranton"From Duty to Choice" focuses on the expectations of marriage and motherhood across three generations of Filipino women. Using personal narratives from my family (my mother, my cousin, and myself), it looks into the shift from marriage as a familial duty to a matter of individual choice. This generational change is rooted in Philippine history, where the equal status of pre-colonial women had been stripped due to Spanish rule. While my mother's experience reflects a transitional phase in which marriage was a personal decision, motherhood ultimately defined her life's purpose. My cousin's and my views break away from tradition, in which we prioritize personal growth and identity outside family structures. In recent years, economic necessity and modern technology have accelerated this change, allowing women to establish their success, individuality, and happiness on their own terms.
Session B
Miller Room
Moderator: Robin Field, King's College
"124 Bluestone and Sutpen's Hundred: The Ghosts of the South in Beloved and Absalom, Absalom!"
Presenter: Olivia Anderson, King's College
"I explore the ways both Faulkner and Morrison use the traits of Gothic literature to elevate the horror of their choice to set their novels, Absalom, Absalom! and Beloved, in the South, as well as the timing in which they are placed. The main characters, Sethe and Thomas Sutpen, are both running from their past that they associate with shame and guilt, when it comes back to haunt them. This paper will show how running from the past will not expel these ghosts and the haunting sensation of the past, but to confront them is to face one's own emotions, which is how to keep them from creeping into the future."
鈥淒estructive Monstrosity, Inside and Out: The Downfall of Femininity Using Pecola Breedlove鈥�
Presenters: Zoe Yonkoski, King鈥檚 College
In Morrison's The Bluest Eye, the main character Pecola Breedlove takes on the role as a monster in the story, because of the hateful gaze and burdens the town's society places onto her, and as a result of this hate, Pecola's developed desire to be white and blue eyed, transforms into a destructive mindset, one that she cannot escape. The monster she evolves into is one based on effects of racism and sexism. The mistreatment and abuse she suffers transforms her both metaphorically and physically, allowing monstrous and dark qualities to come to life. I will relate Pecola's story to stereotypes placed on Black girls as well.
"Confronting or Denying Memory: Trauma and Survival in Toni Morrison's Beloved and The Bluest Eye鈥�
Presenter: Abigail Leslie, King鈥檚 College
Toni Morrison emphasizes the dynamic relationship between memory and trauma, especially for Black women and girls confronting racism, sexism, and intergenerational suffering. Morrison portrays Sethe and Pecola as different versions of the same narrative: two Black women struggling to survive in a world shaped by historical and personal trauma throughout their lives. In both novels, she examines how suppressing memory and pain can heighten risk and suffering, underscoring the enduring impact of unresolved trauma.
鈥淩eimagining Wangero: A Different Approach to Black Womanhood and Heritage in 'Everyday Use' by Alice Walker鈥�
Presenter: Andrew Saga, King鈥檚 College
"My presentation analyzes Dee (Wangero) from Alice Walker's 'Everyday Use' to challenge common interpretations of the short story seeing Dee purely as a shallow, superficial person. Instead, my presentation argues that Dee should be viewed as a more complex character who is representative of the social and political climate of the 1960s. By presenting facts about how the Black identity and its culture underwent massive scrutiny, and comparing Dee to other prominent figures such as Assata Shakur, I argue that Dee's actions should not be strictly viewed as negative, but as acts of resistance and empowerment in an era where society rejected her. Ultimately, though Dee may demonstrate flaws, I believe it is unfair to view "Everyday Use" as strictly a story about the "right" and "wrong" ways to approach heritage. Instead, I believe that Alice Walker intended to show two different but valid ways to approach one's heritage rather than creating a conversation based upon 'correctness.'"
鈥淲hy He Hurt Them: An Analysis of Ntozake Shange's a nite with beau willie brown鈥�
Presenter: Darling Victoria, King鈥檚 College
This presentation conducts a thorough analysis of Beau Willie Brown's character, and the psychology behind the abuse he puts his family through. His mind, shaped by gendered expectations and broken by war, has been uniquely conditioned to favor violence as a solution to all of his problems. This is made worse by the societal inequalities afforded to all low-income black families, and Beau's own denial about his mental state. I posit a greater understanding of how tragedies like these come about is fundamental to imagining meaningful ways of addressing the underlying issues that plague our most vulnerable.
Session C
Jean and Paul Adams Common
鈥淕ender-Based Education Inequalities in the United States, India, and Afghanistan鈥�
Presenters: Alivia Mazurek, Vidhi Patel, and Joshua Prebola, King's College
Education is a privilege that should be available to everyone, regardless of gender. It is not just something that would benefit the person individually, but also the entire community. Freedom in education would allow the cycle of poverty to be broken. Although many countries prioritize education for both genders, many have restrictions on women in terms of how far they can study or if they can even study at all. This paper will analyze, discuss, critique, and suggest improvements to education inequality based on gender in three countries: the United States, India, and Afghanistan. These three countries feature different levels of education inequality, with the United States having a low education inequality, India having a medium level of inequality, and Afghanistan having a very high level of inequality. By comparing these countries, we can improve our understanding of where change needs to happen to make an equal opportunity for all.
鈥淗uman Trafficking: A Comparison of Afghanistan, the United States, and Norway鈥�
Presenters: Grace Tedford, Dynastie Thomas, and Marissa Valdez, King's College
Human trafficking is a crime that affects almost every country in the world. Women, who make up almost sixty percent of victims globally, are forced into numerous forms of labor, the most prominent being sexual exploitation. Rates of human trafficking vary across the world, changing based on safeguards that are put in place to prevent this crime. Afghanistan is the country with the highest rates of human trafficking overall, while the United States falls in the middle. It is a pervasive issue across all fifty states. Norway is on the opposite end of the spectrum - its preventative measures lead to one of the lowest rates of human trafficking globally. Comparisons between these three countries will depict the wide range of human trafficking levels around the world.
鈥淐ontraceptive Rights in The United States and Afghanistan鈥�
Presenters: Camryn Falco, Emelia Kerr, and Madelyn Petruska, King's College
Globalization transforms health care, often in ways that challenge women's reproductive rights. Gender expectations shape contraceptive rights in various countries that value reproductive health differently. Comparing scholarly sources about the United States contraceptive rights with those of Afghanistan will investigate how the globalization components of different civilizations impact females' reproductive care. Afghanistan has decreased globalization because of the Taliban embassy, who have erased women from the public. The country's political landscape restricts travel, which directly impacts decisions regarding women's rights. While opposingly, the United States has attempted to make access to contraception more affordable by covering its costs under insurance policies. The United States, being highly globalized in comparison to countries such as Afghanistan, is correlated to their advancement in women's rights, such as contraception. With women gaining knowledge regarding gender roles and equality, their ability to advocate for contraceptive rights has promoted these significant decisions. Globalization is filtered through the values of these countries and their civilizations. Healthcare, specifically women's reproductive rights, can be impacted positively and negatively by cultural traditions, state power, and political dynamics. In Afghanistan, reproductive rights are significantly impacted by the decrease in globalization, while the highly globalized nature of the United States has allowed for healthcare advancement in the country.
鈥淏eauty Standards, Filters and Mental Health in Gender鈥�
Presenters: Mackenzie Salmonsen, Michael Mullisky, and Zayne Paneflek, King's College
This paper will examine the cross between beauty standards, digital filters, and mental health through gender. In the age of social media, platforms such as Instagram and TikTok amplify highly curated and seemingly perfect images that make our generation believe in beauty standards causing issues in mental health, although the use of filters plays a heavy role in the seen perfection. Beauty filters smooth skin, reshape facial features, and alter body proportions, reinforcing gendered expectations of femininity and masculinity. The ultimate theory and psychological problem here is, how constant exposure to filtered images contributes to body dissatisfaction, self-objectification, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, particularly among women and gender-diverse individuals, while increasingly impacting men through hypermasculine ideals. This paper will dive deeper into men battling mental health and the difference between the two genders. By situating contemporary beauty practices within broader social and historical contexts, this research highlights the urgent need for media literacy, inclusive representation, and critical engagement within us and others.
6:30 - 8 p.m.
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Creative Writing Reading
Jean and Paul Adams Commons
Writers will present original works of poetry and excerpts from fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama that express and celebrate the experiences and identities of women and LGBTQ+ people. A reception will follow.