Hellooooooooo
Today is a beautiful day. I’m not kidding, the weather is AMAZING. The best it’s been all year.
I am currently sitting in the open lawn area on Tower Court facing Lake Waban. I LOVE this view. I wish I could post a picture but my phone is acting up and wont let me take any photos. Let’s just say it’s unreal. Hopefully you can come see for yourself!!!!!!!
So yesterday, I didn’t go to a single class. Before you’re shocked by my rebelliousness, I should tell you I skipped class to attend a conference at Harvard University Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Learning. <– click to checkout their website. The conference was titled “Who Decides? Gender, Medicine, and the Public’s Health”. Going to this conference was one of the best decisions I’ve made since coming to Wellesley.
The distinguished people of the panel discussed topics like the social construction of the definition of health and illness, research priorities, as well as policy and access to care. There were doctors, professors, writers, science journalists, even a congresswoman at the conference, sharing knowledge on their respective areas of expertise.
Throughout the panels, though, I noticed that there was a lack of mentioning of minority people like people of color, and trans* folks.
I asked a question about the research done on health issues that are specific to trans-men and women. I was expecting to get the answer I did, which was that they really didn’t know much about transpeople’s health needs, but that was still a bit disappointing. But I’m glad I took the opportunity to speak up and put the topic forward.
After the Q&A session, I was warmly greeted by many people and congratulated for asking the question. Among these kind people were Wellesley alums and professors. Wellesley people are EVERYWHERE and I can always count on them to be supportive and encouraging in situations like this.
I’ve been really thinking about my future career path lately. I’ve always wanted to be a Pediatrician – in my mind, the best way for me to use my skills and do what I love (which is working with kids) was to go to med school and one day become a physician. BUT, I’ve realized more and more now that doctors only make up a small portion of the entire public health population.
Have you guys heard about the new Health and Society Minor available at Wellesley? It is starting this coming fall, (when you get here!) as a newly available minor in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department. I will definitely be pursuing this in my four years at Wellesley. I’m STOKED>>>
The best part about going to school in/near a place like Boston is that there are so many intellectual people (professors, students, the general public) that can contribute to your education. Wellesley itself is amazing, but the amazing opportunities and connections that come with going to a school like Wellesley College is what I love most about this school.
Now I’m going to go lie out in the sun for a few hours. Enjoy Spring ^_^