Rebecca's blog

Feminism is the constantly evolving, diverse movement that critiques and works to change the power structures that exclude and victimize groups of people. Feminist wave theory is a framework that divides feminism since the nineteenth century into three main waves. Each wave contains wide diversity within itself but all of the waves share the goal of education reform. Education is a structure in our society that can exclude groups or can empower groups. In this paper, I will discuss the field of ecology in a feminist framework. To begin I will explain ecology and the wave framework that I will be using to explore it. I will end with a creative piece inspired by Peggy McIntosh’s Interactive Phases of Curricular Re-Vision: A Feminist Perspective.

“I can’t believe this” Maude muttered into the glove compartment as she fished out her insurance and registration.

A minute ago the car ahead of her had slammed on its breaks to avoid colliding with the Hummer that had barreled out of the gas station. Maude tried to turn onto the shoulder but there wasn’t enough time. Her car crashed into the other with a nice, loud crunch. She had bit her lip in her moment of panic and could taste the blood.

Studying a feminist perspective of science has slightly altered my priorities for my future career.  As an ecologist, I firmly believe that environmental literacy is the way to solve the anthropogenic environmental problems we are facing. For example, currently species extinction rates are extremely high due to habitat degradation caused by development and pollution.  In order to slow these rates it is necessary to help people understand their interactions with their environment and that is at the heart of my career interests.  The feminist perspective has changed my idea of the best way to pursue this interest.

As a senior biology major in a gender and science studies class, I have decided to look back and reflect on my past four years as a female science major at Bryn Mawr College.  The primary focus of this class is on the field of physics. Physics has not been as successful as biology in attracting women to the field and in placing women in top level positions.  In 1997, 47% of PhDs in biology were awarded to women while only 22% of PhDs in the physical sciences (Thom 67). However, liberal arts colleges and women’s colleges in particular are noted for turning out large numbers of women scientists and Bryn Mawr fits nicely into these categories with biology consistently being one of the most popular majors.  I would like to discuss which parts of my undergraduate experience were the most rewarding and which were the most discouraging because these experiences are relevant to the discussion of how our society creates female scientists. Throughout grade school, high school, and in the first year of undergraduate work, changes need to be made that will attract more of both men and women to the sciences.  However, in the last years of undergraduate work when women are about to enter into the work force, more should be done to encourage them to stay in science despite certain disheartening social factors.