Elevator Speeches

1. Why does focusing on one aspect of life mean we disregard all others? It doesnt.
Saying that womens studies is anti-male is like saying mathematics is anti-science.
They are two distinct topics that coincide with each other. Women studies is
important in understanding how a large portion of our population has influenced
society. Women are underpaid, underrepresented, and often times not given a
chance to dominate in a male dominated society. Women studies looks at the why
and the role of the woman in the world we live in. Males should be grateful that
women studies exists because women represent a huge market that is often times
exploited.
2. Every topic in the world is studied. Women and gender studies should not be any
different. If we made progress over the last thirty years, then it could be taught as a
history class. However, all the progress that has been made doesnt change the fact
that women still face glass ceilings, the majority of sexualization in the media, and
often times do not have a voice. In my personal opinion, we have not come that far
because we have not come far enough. There is still so much work to do. Women
need to have an equal role in business, politics, media, etc. We need to turn a mans
world into an equal world. A world where we can be measured by our success and
not just the size of various parts of our bodies.
3. A degree in women and gender studies can lead to a career in education,
psychology, social work, human rights, journalism, and so much more. Women and
gender influence, impact, and involve every individual. One career that people often
times forget about is that of the entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur you can start
your own business with any discipline. Whichever career you choose, you can serve
as an advocate and bring attention to many important issues involving women and
gender.
4. Women and gender studies does not have a political agenda. Like any subject, it
is meant to teach you. What you learn you then have to analyze, evaluate, research,
and form your own opinions about. What you take from curriculum is up to you.
Taking the course isnt meant to turn you into a feminist. It is meant to teach you
about issues that women or those of other genders face and to bring attention to an
important aspect of our society. People have varying interests; however, it is
important to be cultured and well-versed in what is going on in the world.
5. Womens studies can appear to create victims at times, but everyone is a victim
to society in some shape or form. Societal constructs hold us back. What womens
studies does is give a look into what some of these problems are and shed light on
important issues that women face as they try to move up in society. Whenever
someone tells me that women are victims or that we make our own problems, I ask
them to look up some statistics. How many women are in the United States Senate?
How many women are CEOs of the top Fortune 500 companies? These are goals
that many women have, but why is it so hard for us to achieve them? Womens
studies is all about the why. Once we figure that out, is when we begin to fight for a
change.