Department Of Women’s Studies Umd, The Women’s Studies department and faculty at the University of Maryland enjoy an international reputation for theoretical and methodological innovations and for their attention to curriculum transformation and transnational women’s and gender studies institution building.
We encourage you to explore our website to learn about the resources available for Women’s Studies research, scholarship, and community at Maryland.
Department Statement
As a department, we remind ourselves that our unit resides in a public land-grant institution. We remind ourselves that such a location is one whose history, in principle, has aimed to provide educational access as an avenue of social change. We remind ourselves that our department’s mission is one that is rooted in an unwavering commitment to “intellectual freedom, social justice, and equality for all people.” We remind ourselves of the words of Audre Lorde who tells us that “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”
In light of these remembrances and in light of the ongoing political tumult that characterizes this political moment, we, the members of the Women’s Studies Department at the University of Maryland, College Park reaffirm our commitment to the following principles of justice:
— We oppose any policy or law that enables the oppression of any individuals or groups.
— We strongly condemn all instances/assertions of trans/homophobia, racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia.
— We reaffirm the importance of framing policies, ideas, and laws grounded in fact, reason, and justice.
— We privilege scientific approaches when grappling with the complexity of environmental degradation.
— We reassert the need for compassion for those fleeing harm and economic vulnerability.
— We reject all reassertions of nationalist, imperialist, and xenophobic modes of thought.
We commit to building a fear-free, inclusive space where students can thrive at our university. We invite you to approach us if you have questions or concerns. We will work to preserve your privacy and use our resources to help you find answers or direct you to the appropriate resources.