Legal Practitioner on Trademark Protection How were you affiliated with IWS? Undergraduate Certificate in Women's Studies. Tell us about your current work (paid or unpaid!) I focus my law practice on trademark protection. How has your Women's Studies experience shaped your life and work post-graduation? Women's studies helped me to see the ways in which women (and anyone, not a white male from a middle to upper-class background) were equally capable of accomplishing great things in our society. It helped me see the gaslighting and the myriad ways we are taught we are not capable, inadequate, and destined to support the better-suited white men to achieve their goals. I faced many barriers to full employment after law school mostly involving being a mother. When faced with one of these barriers in my career, I never gave up hope as those who went before me had it harder and rose higher as I learned in women's studies classes. I hope that my life and career (I am the main breadwinner but super involved mom) inspire other women to work around and through this and have fulfilling careers and lives. What are your favorite memories from your time in Women's Studies at UGA? Courses, professors, events? Women in Art class (a Finnish teacher), and a History teacher from Ireland who had us invited to her house. Any advice for current Women's Studies students (graduate or undergraduate)? Our society is not set up for you to succeed even today. Learn how women have changed it for the better in the past and pay it forward however you can.
