by Celeste Rios, Adjunct Professor, Government

There is a need to address gender barriers that exist in our society.

The Faculty Learning Community on Women and Gender Studies has provided education on gender studies and opportunities to expand my curricula on Women and Gender Studies. An issue I wanted to address in my classes is the artificial barriers that exist on women and how we need to be aware of them and address them.

I developed a group project that will have the groups develop a state feminist policy. The project will have each group develop a white paper outlining the main objectives. The students will continue their research throughout the semester and work on a twenty-slide presentation discussing their policy. The policy will aim at economic, cultural, and government barriers, and the policy will discuss how to meet these issues and address them. I want the students to focus on pink taxes, domestic violence laws, divorce laws, state pay gaps, and social issues. This project is necessary because it will research and acknowledge the different unrealistic standards society places on women and the loss of agency over one’s body. At the end of the semester, I will work on each group presenting and delivering their presentation to the class and the Texas Women’s Foundation.

My experience with the FLC has been rewarding and enlightening. I was able to hear excellent lectures from experts around the world and engage in stimulating discussions. I recommend this program to my peers in the Government Department. I have made new friends and enjoyed learning. I am excited to see the outcome of the Texas Feminist Policy.