Women and Gender Studies at Howard University: The Past, Present and Future
This week, the Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership at Howard University hosted a virtual roundtable as one of its Women’s History Month events. This virtual event was a panel discussion that addressed the rich history of Women and Gender Studies at Howard University through the narratives of three leading professionals in the field. The legacy of the field at Howard is due to the tireless efforts of many over decades to institute a deliberate focus on women and gender studies at a university that was established upon principles of diversity and equality. This roundtable event highlighted the importance of women and gender studies at Howard while also allowing the panelists to share their own experiences and involvement in the field.
The roundtable featured three of Howard University’s illustrious own. Featured as a part of this discussion were Dr. Joyce Ladner an American civil rights activist, author, civil servant, sociologist, professor and former interim president at Howard University, Dr. Florence Bonner a former Senior Vice President for Research and Compliance at Howard University and former professor of Sociology, and Dr. Valethia Watkins the Director of Howard University’s Women’s Studies Graduate Certificate Program and an Africana Studies professor. Center Director J. Jarpa Dawuni provided opening remarks and Dr. Carolette Norwood - the Department Chair of Sociology and Criminology and a professor of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Howard University - introduced the participants and moderated the event.
Dr. Norwood asked questions of the roundtable participants to begin the discussion, focusing on the journeys of the women featured as well as particular details about the status of Women and Gender Studies at Howard University. We heard from panelists about their individual paths to Howard and beyond as well as their influence on the evolution of Women and Gender Studies at Howard. Panelists discussed how the ideas of equity and empowerment encouraged each of them to work towards instituting a curriculum for that purpose. From the topics of the lack of women in leadership at the university to the institution of the Women’s Studies Graduate Certificate Program, each speaker explained how nothing came without pushback - from both men and women. The panelists each provided their views on the future of women and gender studies at Howard as well as the Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership. In the words of Dr. Ladner, she said, “I think we are behind time, it should’ve been done a long time ago, and we should press forward.” The panelists shared the opinion that there needs to be a greater focus on the field within the undergraduate student body as well as a reconceptualization of intersectionality which will benefit from research programs and outside funding. The Center is in a perfect position to play a fundamental role in these aims toward the future of Women and Gender Studies at Howard, and we are honored to be able to hear from these professionals and learn from their legacies.
You can find the recording of the event on the Center's YouTube channel here:
