Thavon Her is majoring in Gender & Women’s Studies and is getting a certificate in Public Policy.
1. Why did you choose GWS?
As a queer woman of color, I’ve experienced a lot of challenges and discrimination over the course of my entire life which has driven my passion for social justice and advocacy. I struggled to feel comfortable being myself my first year and it wasn’t until I started taking GWS courses that I truly felt a sense of belonging to a community on campus. GWS is one of the few subjects that continue to help me grow as an activist, student, and individual.
2. Has GWS changed your approach to your involvement (on or off campus) during college? If so, how?
Yes! GWS has made such a strong impact on my life and has taught me how to critically analyze social issues with an intersectional framework. I’ve learned about discrimination against different minority groups that I’m not necessarily a part of and it’s really allowed me to learn and be more aware of differing experiences. I’ve learned how to be a conscious activist and thus have taken action to educate myself on various inequalities, not just those that pertain to my experiences.
3. How has GWS shaped your future plans?
GWS continues to not only shape my future plans but also my life. I understand that GWS may not exactly be a linear career path, but it has taught me so much about advocacy tools and how to start change. It’s because of GWS that I decided to complete a Public Policy Certificate along with my GWS Major. After undergrad, I plan to go to graduate school for Public Affairs to further my education before becoming a policymaker with a strong GWS framework to guide me. GWS has also shaped my personal endeavors, I’ve been working on creating a podcast to promote self-love and uplift underrepresented voices. I want minorities to feel like they’re allowed to take up space in this world and that their voices matter!