The environment surrounding Goshen College is welcoming, encouraging and supportive. Being a woman on campus, for me, does not change my experiences at GC.
As a woman, I feel supported and acknowledged in everything I am involved in. I receive the same recognition, respect and opportunities that any of my male classmates may receive.
This is especially noticeable in my major, molecular biology and biochemistry. Goshen has a great mix of males and females in the major, but typically STEM is still considered a male-dominated field. However, that stigma in science is not present at GC. Here, we are recognized for our work ethic and personalities, with our gender having no impact whatsoever.
That being said, it is nice to be surrounded by females — not only in some of my classes, but also through my sport. My volleyball teammates are always supportive and encouraging in all aspects of my life. Having those girls, and other female friends from different sports or classes, provides an outlet for “girl talk” and activities that my male friends would not likely enjoy or want to participate in.
All in all, no matter the circumstance, the people at GC help me to feel accepted and supported in my life as a woman.
Jesse Price is a sophomore molecular biology major from Nappanee, Indiana. She is part of the women’s volleyball team and is a resident assistant in Kratz.
Joyce Daliya
Leaving home for the first time to go to another country sounded like a challenge for me, but when I got to Goshen, it was actually such a comfortable place for me. From my first day here, I was surrounded by a lot of amazing people who I quickly became friends with, and still am to this day.
It was, however, sort of interesting to me how people would confuse me for being Latina, which somewhat makes sense, but it took me a while to get used to it. There was also a time when I was at a store and an older man came to me and asked me if I was a terrorist, which honestly really surprised me. But I didn’t take offense to it, since to me it seemed like there was a lack of education, so of course he wouldn’t know that saying those things to people isn’t the nicest. So in turn, I ended up giving him a quick lesson about my country.
There hasn’t been a moment where I haven’t felt safe in Goshen. Even when I get back really late from walking around campus by myself, the thought of something happening doesn’t cross my mind, which honestly could also have something to do with my country being so unsafe for girls that I just don’t think about it here.
I am in a major that is heavily male-dominated, with a lot of opportunities for men, as women are looked at as not being good enough at times, but I’ve never once felt that I’m not good enough — especially because the science department is so uplifting and supportive of their students, irrespective of gender. You can really see it by how they treat you, and I value that a lot. It makes me even more glad that I joined Goshen College.
Joyce Daliya is a senior biology major from Mussoorie, India. She is part of ISC and a Goshen College student ambassador.
Lívia Moreira
Every year, when International Women’s Day rolls around, I think about how we celebrate it and wonder if it really means anything anymore. Being a woman means living in a world where we are constantly trying to figure out how to be safe, respectful and independent in spaces that were not built for us.
At Goshen College, I feel safe. I know we try to create a culture of justice and accountability. But, I also know this is not the case for all women. If you ask women on campus, almost all of us know at least one person who has been harassed, followed, intimidated or made to feel unsafe by a man on campus.
Some of these issues have been reported to campus safety, particularly incidents involving athletes who have made women feel uncomfortable or unsafe on several occasions. But when we do not hold these men accountable, it feels like we are giving them special treatment just because we are part of the same school community or because they are athletes.
This is problematic for women because it makes it hard to feel like we are actually safe here or that our safety is truly the top priority for this community. International Women’s Day should be about more than celebration; it should be about truth. Women all over the world face violence, discrimination and growing threats against their autonomy and dignity.
Simone de Beauvoir once wrote, “never forget that a political, economic or religious crisis will be enough for women’s rights to be questioned. These rights are never permanent. You will have to remain vigilant throughout your life.”
For me, today is not really about celebration; it is about vigilance and making sure women’s rights are not questioned or taken for granted anywhere in the world, including here, where we feel like home.
Lívia Moreira is a sophomore criminal justice and restorative justice and history pre-law major from Petrolina, Brazil. She is a human rights activist and represented GC at the Brazil Conference at Harvard and MIT.
Uliana Dotsenko
Goshen College is a really safe place where you can be yourself and share your opinion, and it’s also a safe place for women. Goshen has many resources if someone feels unsafe. Around campus, even in the bathrooms, there are phone numbers and information you can use if you need help. The college also has meetings and talks about safety and what to do in dangerous situations. It may sound a little too serious, but it is actually nice to know the school cares about students and wants us to feel safe. I lived in Ukraine, spent time in Bulgaria, and am now living in Goshen, and it’s a completely different environment. In Ukraine, I felt more comfortable and it felt safer for women in general than in Bulgaria.
In Bulgaria, sometimes men can be disrespectful to women. Many girls do not always feel safe, especially when walking alone at night. Goshen is just a small place where you know everyone, and you feel good about it. I’m not scared to be myself, dress how I want, or walk around at night alone if I need to distract myself.
Tennis is also a big part of my life. It influences my feminine side because it helps me feel strong and confident. Playing tennis teaches me discipline and independence, but it also reminds me that being feminine and being strong can go together, and it looks really good on girls. I can be competitive on the court and still express myself and who I am.
Overall, Goshen College makes me feel safe and comfortable as a woman. The community, the resources on campus, my friends and my experience with tennis help me feel more confident and free to be myself.
Uliana Dotsenko is a sophomore sports management and exercise science major from Kherson, Ukraine. She is a part of ASA and the women’s tennis team.
Sarah Elfrey
Coming into my first year at Goshen, as a transfer, I was immediately welcomed and introduced to the countless resources the school has to provide. These ensure safety, comfortability and confidence in who you are and where you go. Resources as such make one feel secure and cared for.
I am beyond grateful to say that I’ve never felt the need to use such resources, yet knowing they are available and accessible whenever they are needed is truly reassuring. Here at Goshen, being a woman has never hindered me from succeeding further or accomplishing a goal, nor has it subjected me to hate or indifference.
Instead, here, womanhood has been embraced, and I know it will continue to be. I have definitely felt this to be true having been a part of the women’s basketball team and feeling how we interact with one another. This has taught me to be in favor of my feminine side and share the love among all women. Prior to attending Goshen, I wasn’t aware of International Women’s Day. Now, due to its appreciation, I have been able to deepen my knowledge of being a woman and have learned more about myself.
Experiencing sensitive times as a woman, together with being so far away from the familiar support of home, can make womanhood appear even more fearsome. The comfort of just knowing about the school resources assures that I’ll never have to go through something alone.
Sarah Elfrey is a junior criminal justice and restorative justice major from Halesowen, England. She is also a member of the women’s basketball team.
