As a woman in STEM at Penn State, sometimes it can feel isolating, as it is traditionally a male-dominated field. However, there are many programs and organizations you can become involved in to help break down these gender barriers, as well as find community. First, there is the […]

For our next interview, we have my grandmother, Mary. One of the things Mary likes to do most is crochet. Crocheting has always held a special place in her heart, as she loves to make things for her family. My mom said, that growing up her mom would […]

Next up, we have Melinda, my mom’s friend. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and outside of work she enjoys gardening, hiking, and playing the piano. First, I asked her about her childhood. She said, “My childhood was marked by noticeable gender differences, especially in expectations regarding career […]

Next up we have my Aunt, Ann B. She was born in Dubois, PA, and now lives about 45 minutes from that area. Some of her interests and hobbies include taking her dogs for walks in the woods, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and hanging out […]

Next up is my friend from Penn State, Natalie Warnack. Natalie is a first-year student, planning to major in Chemistry. Her goal is to go to Medical School and then become a dermatologist. Outside of academics, Natalie enjoys skin care, making new friends, and playing frisbee. She grew […]

Next up, we have my grandmother, Rosanne Skal. Rosanne is my dad’s mother, and she has lived in Butler, PA her whole life. She is a kind, caring woman, who loves her big family more than anything. She likes to attend church and prayer groups, as well as […]

Allow me to introduce my second interviewee, Samantha Burt, affectionately known as Sam. Sam, who happens to be my cousin, embarked on her journey at Penn State about 10 years ago with a clear vision of becoming an engineer. I actually remember when she graduated from college, an […]

For my first interview, I decided to interview my mother. She has always been a role model for me, and I look up to her, so it was an easy decision to choose her as my female figure. Her name is Julie, and she works as a registered […]

For my Personal is Political blog I have decided to explore the topic of feminism and how it has evolved over time. To do this, I plan to conduct interviews with women in my life to gain a better understanding of their personal, academic, and professional experiences. The […]