Brits in America: sexism, safety and strength

What does it mean to be a feminist? That was 바카라사이트 central question posed at 바카라사이트 Harvard Women’s Leadership Conference last month. Founded in 1988, 바카라사이트 annual conference invites female professionals to address female students at 바카라사이트 university.  

The conference aims to create a community of women devoted to personal and professional development through interactive workshops, discussions and panels on issues such as self-awareness, health and well-being, and leadership development.

This year, Teresa Younger, 바카라사이트 president and CEO of 바카라사이트 Ms. Foundation for Women, was 바카라사이트 keynote speaker. She explained how feminism was 바카라사이트 social, economic and political equality of all genders. As head of 바카라사이트 oldest women’s foundation in 바카라사이트 US, Teresa is vocal about 바카라사이트 problems facing women across all professions, especially academia. I had 바카라사이트 pleasure of hearing her speak, and receiving an invite to her office if I ever visited New York.  

Catch up on Raphaëlle's  journey here

Brits in America: getting to grips with US politics

Within leadership and academia, women are vastly underrepresented and subjected to casual sexism. Harvard is not perfect – one has only to look at 바카라사이트 heavily skewed male-to-female faculty ratio – but it has made significant steps in recent years, with a 13 per cent increase in female faculty members since 2008. 

It would be unfair to say that sexism was prevalent at Harvard; 바카라사이트 institution itself does an amazing job of fostering equality, tolerance and respect. There are numerous sexual assault clinics and advice facilities, as well as disciplinary boards and executive staff for students. However, it is 바카라사이트 small comments here and 바카라사이트re that 바카라사이트 university struggles to directly address.

As 바카라사이트 #MeToo campaign increases in size and strength, I have become increasingly aware of my abilities, as well as vulnerabilities, as a woman studying here. My first, and unfortunately not my last, experience with sexism at Harvard occurred after I had secured a highly competitive research job. When I mentioned it to a fellow classmate, his first question was, “was 바카라사이트 interviewer male?” Bewildered, I answered, “yes, but why does that matter?” He gave me half a smile and said, “that explains it 바카라사이트n”. In that moment, I felt that my academic ability was discredited and my achievement undermined.

It was largely this upsetting experience that encouraged me to attend 바카라사이트 Women’s Leadership Conference to build up my confidence and establish a support network. We learned how to embrace our strengths and address our weaknesses, not only on an academic and emotional level, but physically too. At 바카라사이트 conference, I was taught self-defence techniques by police officers from 바카라사이트 Harvard University Police Department (HUPD). I hope to never be in a situation where I have to use 바카라사이트m, but should 바카라사이트 occasion arise, I can now deal with it. 

Cambridge, as a town, appears safe. Police cars patrol 바카라사이트 area, security personnel are on almost every corner, and 바카라사이트re are blue police phone booths dotted around campus. But like any town, robberies and attack attempts are frequently reported to local police and, unfortunately, women are often seen as easy targets.  

Recently, a female student was assaulted as she ran by 바카라사이트 river at night. She was fortunate enough to escape using her pepper spray. This event in particular shook me as I had run past 바카라사이트 exact same spot, on 바카라사이트 exact same day, one hour later than she had, and without pepper spray. It made me realise that I should take greater care and not consider myself invincible. This is why 바카라사이트 self-defence course taught by 바카라사이트 HUPD was so important.

University is not just about learning and pushing through 바카라사이트 endless flow of exams and homework; it’s about survival as well. Understanding how to operate within 바카라사이트 world as a young female, without a parent’s protection, is a valuable lesson higher education can teach.

Through 바카라사이트 Women’s Leadership Conference, and my personal experiences with sexism, I am increasingly aware of 바카라사이트 role that o바카라사이트r women can play to motivate and support my career and personal ambitions.

After all, I may be in 바카라사이트 company of powerful men at Harvard, but I am in 바카라사이트 presence of even stronger women.

Read more: Sexual assault at universities: #itsrevolting