“Hi, my name is Anthony Anderson. My pronouns are they/them/their(s).
“I am a sophomore, and my major is sociology. I love reading articles and watching video content in order to expand my knowledge about feminism and social justice issues. Specifically, I like reading narratives and hearing testimonies from transpeople of color. In the near future, I want to write research papers about intersectionality, and how it affects your perception of the world and how the world perceives you because of your various intersections; how that affects the way you move through the world and your perception of the world.”
Anderson is an inspiring activist on Illinois State’s campus, and the women’s and gender studies (WGS) program’s current student spotlight. Anderson’s goal is to become a more visible activist and educator on campus, in the state of Illinois and eventually nationally. Anderson wants to be a voice for silenced folks who are the most marginalized. Their current focus is working with registered student organizations on campus by doing diversity and inclusion training and workshops to combat systematic oppression and discrimination.
Anderson chose women’s and gender studies because they wanted to learn more about how to better articulate and educate others on their own lived experience and the lived experiences of others. “The women’s and gender studies program fits into my life plan because it gives me the knowledge that I need to become an expert about the history, vocabulary/terminology, and lived experiences of all people”.
Plans to pursue graduate work in the field of women’s and gender studies is fueled by a passion to have more representation and visibility in academia for transpeople, people with disabilities, and people of color. “Academia needs representation and for various intersectional narratives to be visible and accessible to students and professors,” Anderson said.
Anderson leaves us with this advice: “Definitely apply if you are not already a WGS minor. It will help you to start your activist/feminist journey. For people who are already a WGS minor, I strongly advise everyone to continue learning inside and outside the classroom, educating family, friends, and community members about issues that you’re most passionate and knowledgeable about.”
