Women of Welch Living and Learning Village Residents Present at Gender and Equity Symposium

Four students from the Women of Welch (WOW) Living and Learning Village presented about current issues in society at the NC State Women’s Center’s annual Gender and Equity Symposium, held virtually on April 9.

Brianna Potts presented “Marginalized: Why the LGBT+ Community Needs More Positive Representation.” Potts’ presentation focused on the adversities in which the LGBT+ community faces, such as issues concerning mental and physical health, bullying, interpersonal violence, and other forms of discrimination and harassment. Her presentation also used that information as a background for the promotion of positive LGBT+ representation in various forms of media. 

Grace Szigethy, Mikhalia Estwick, and Samantha Knapp presented “Pay Equity and Discrimination.” Their presentation examined the Equal Pay Act, which was passed and signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and prohibited discrimination in wages based off sex when employees complete equal work with equal skill, effort, and responsibility in similar working conditions. Regardless of this regulation, it has been calculated that women earn 79 cents for every dollar a man earns in 2019. The group’s research addressed the history of unequal pay, particularly in America, and they proposed potential changes to implement that could decrease the pay gap.

The Women of Welch Learning Village seeks to create an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive community that fosters an intersectional awareness of self and others and a demonstrated commitment to social justice. Learn more about WOW and other NC State Living and Learning Villages at https://villages.dasa.ncsu.edu/.