Gender is classified through several labels, stereotypes or prejudices. Some of Eastern’s faculty are trying to develop awareness around these prejudices and try to expose the perception of gender.

Dr. Penka Skachkova, professor and coordinator of women’s studies, addressed the issue of teaching gender in general education and diversity classes.

After attending a conference with the National Women’s Studies Association, Skachkova wanted to bring back knowledge to share with her colleagues about what she learned on how to teach women’s studies.

“I want to make the students unlearn gender stereotypes, prejudices, and biases they have,” Skachkova said.

Some of the stereotypes can be found through terms that are used to define masculinity and femininity. Women are seen as gentle and affectionate where men are seen as athletic and dominant.

“From day one we start attaching personality characteristics to a specific gender,” said Kathleen O’Rourke, associate professor of family and consumer sciences. “When a woman is pregnant everyone wants to know the gender to start with pinks and blues.”

A main focus of women’s studies is to use the education as an empowering process and to look for alternatives for self-development for students. Most of the empowering and self-development comes from knowing about the history of women and current debates.

“Looking at the women in 1873, its no wonder it was such a struggle to get women to be able to vote,” said Lynne Curry, associate professor in history department.

There is an undergraduate version of women’s history, Curry said. The students say that “they just didn’t know any better” to allow them to vote.

Women have come a long way since the 1800s, but the stereotypes have created a barrier that Eastern faculty is trying to break through.

“I want students to develop self-respect and become more empowered of their own strengths,” Skachkova said. “I want to provoke students to become more connected with local community and to do something with their knowledge.”