By Taylor Michl
What a semester it has been! The Women’s Center hosted and co-sponsored many events in Fall 2021, set up Healing Arts corners in several locations across campus, and provided a cozy campus spot for students to host meetings, complete projects, and do self-care. I am proud of the work that we have done, and so glad that we had the opportunity to spread the message of gender equity on campus and beyond through our programs and blogs.
I have felt so lucky to work with the amazing Women’s Center staff over the past several months. I’m not sure what miracle caused this to happen, but the staff here is filled with people who are incredibly fun, hardworking, creative, and dedicated to intersectional gender equity.
I’ve worked many jobs in my life, in everything from food service to non-profit to marketing. Of course, every job has its benefits and drawbacks. That said, the Women’s Center has connected me to a community of smart, like-minded people who make me laugh and inspire me. Thanks to them, I am excited to come to work every day.
Being the Graduate Assistant at UMKC Women’s Center has been special to me because we get to spend our time thinking, talking, and educating about gender equity. On top of that, though, the folks that I am lucky to call colleagues walk the walk: they check in with each other, they practice radical vulnerability, and they constantly challenge themselves to grow as intersectional feminists and human beings.
To my wonderful coworkers, and to everyone who attended a Women’s Center event, did homework on our comfy couch, or read one of our blog posts, thank you for making this semester special. You rock. See you in 2022!