Before college, much of my identity was defined as being the “other.” Now, it was time to forge my own identity. Taking Women Studies 101 in my junior year changed my life. For the first time, my eyes, heart and mind were opened not only to the power and pervasiveness of gender dynamics and sexism, but also to race, class, nationality, sexual orientation and their interplay. Afterwards, I wrote letters to the editor, marched in Washington, D.C. and organized multicultural events on campus, e.g. Race & Humor. This class and these events re-set my world lens and in turn, set the course for my graduate studies, career choices and interest in community service. Ironically, I came back a liberal and to my chagrin, my home state and parents became Republican.

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