Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 11.08 Braided Roots: Appalachian Grrrls in Women's and Gender Studies
Presentation #1 Title
A Feminist Comes A-Calling
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Braided Roots: Appalachian Grrrls in Women’s and Gender Studies Taking inspiration from fieldwork experiences, Women’s and Gender class discussions, and student lived realities, this panel practically engages gender and women’s issues in Central Appalachia today. In “A Feminist Comes A-Calling” Rebecca Adkins Fletcher (WGS instructor) draws upon fieldwork and teaching experiences to describe the complexities of living and practicing feminism in Central Appalachia and understanding local community and regional issues in context. This will be followed by papers presented by undergraduate students from the Ohio University Southern Issues in Feminism (WGS 2000) course from the Spring 2013 semester. Danielle Doss will present “Gender, Youth, and Substance Abuse in Appalachia,” highlighting the gendered links of substance abuse and the heavy toll this epidemic is taking on Appalachian youth and children. Nichole Helmstetler will present “The Economic Challenges of Motherhood in Modern Appalachia,” where she details the problems of under-education, low-waged work, and the economic responsibilities for mothers in the U.S. and Appalachia. Tiffany Williams’ paper “Challenging the LGBT Bullies” discusses issues faced by the local LGBT community, gender bullying, and offers activities for education and gender inclusion. Taken together, these papers provide insights into the gendered nature of important issues affecting Central Appalachian residents today. Equally, taking inspiration from class discussions of Elizabeth Engelhardt’s Tangled Roots of Feminism, this panel offers a space for young women from the region to untangle the roots of their own brands of feminism and confront issues that affect their daily lives.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Rebecca Adkins Fletcher is adjunct faculty at Ohio University Southern, where she teaches Anthropology and Women’s and Gender Studies. She is a medical and cultural anthropologist with a Ph.D. and Certificate in Women's and Gender Studies from the University of Kentucky. She is currently serving as Chair of ASA's Finance and Development Committee.
Presentation #2 Title
Gender, Youth, and Substance Abuse in Appalachia
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Danielle Doss is a senior at Ohio University Southern majoring in Social Work. She plans to obtain a Master's Degree in Social Work and specialize in eating disorders and substance abuse issues in her local community.
Presentation #3 Title
The Economic Challenges of Motherhood in Modern Appalachia
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Nichole Helmstetler is a junior at Ohio University Southern majoring in Social Work. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Master's Degree. She has a passion for helping under-privileged youth, particularly young girls, and plans to work within the public school system.
Presentation #4 Title
Challenging the LGBT Bullies
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Tiffany Williams is a Senior at Ohio University Southern. She is a Psychology major with a great interest in Women's and Gender Studies. She serves as a student representative in the Ohio University Southern's Psychology Club and is the public information officer.
A Feminist Comes A-Calling
Corbly Hall 333
Braided Roots: Appalachian Grrrls in Women’s and Gender Studies Taking inspiration from fieldwork experiences, Women’s and Gender class discussions, and student lived realities, this panel practically engages gender and women’s issues in Central Appalachia today. In “A Feminist Comes A-Calling” Rebecca Adkins Fletcher (WGS instructor) draws upon fieldwork and teaching experiences to describe the complexities of living and practicing feminism in Central Appalachia and understanding local community and regional issues in context. This will be followed by papers presented by undergraduate students from the Ohio University Southern Issues in Feminism (WGS 2000) course from the Spring 2013 semester. Danielle Doss will present “Gender, Youth, and Substance Abuse in Appalachia,” highlighting the gendered links of substance abuse and the heavy toll this epidemic is taking on Appalachian youth and children. Nichole Helmstetler will present “The Economic Challenges of Motherhood in Modern Appalachia,” where she details the problems of under-education, low-waged work, and the economic responsibilities for mothers in the U.S. and Appalachia. Tiffany Williams’ paper “Challenging the LGBT Bullies” discusses issues faced by the local LGBT community, gender bullying, and offers activities for education and gender inclusion. Taken together, these papers provide insights into the gendered nature of important issues affecting Central Appalachian residents today. Equally, taking inspiration from class discussions of Elizabeth Engelhardt’s Tangled Roots of Feminism, this panel offers a space for young women from the region to untangle the roots of their own brands of feminism and confront issues that affect their daily lives.
