Kelsey Adams
Degrees: Western University (BA '13 and MA '14, Women’s Studies)
Current Position: I currently work in the Violence Against Women sector educating the London community on how we can all take actions to end gender-based violence. My background in Women’s Studies gives me the tools to recognize the multitude of ways violence, trauma and marginalization are lived based on an individuals’ experience of privilege and unique social location. In Women’s Studies, I gained a knowledge of the history of the VAW sector and of the ways that women and marginalized communities have actively resisted dominant power structures. This knowledge was so valuable as I now work in this sector and engage in my own feminist activism.
In Her Words: Why I enrolled in Women’s Studies
Coming to university was a difficult transition for me, and being in Women’s Studies was the first time that I felt safe enough to ask questions, try new challenges and express myself fully. The faculty and staff created an environment where my own self-limiting beliefs were challenged and I was given opportunities to grow both personally and academically. During my time in Women’s Studies, I gained new knowledge and new skills but more importantly I was able to find my voice and the confidence to use it to create a better world.
The classroom discussions also taught me how to communicate effectively. Today, these skills are drawn upon when building distributing strategies for marketing messages through content or social media, as well as pitching ideas or presenting campaign results to internal stakeholders.
