Gender Matters Symposium set to take place this week

Rosa Clemente and student panel to inform and engage campus community

By California State University, Bakersfield

March 23^rd, 2021

The 13th Annual Gender Matters Symposium at California State University, Bakersfield is set for Thursday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., a half-day webinar, to be held in the virtual space of Zoom. This year’s theme is “Women in America – What should we do now?”

“Women are at a crucial and exciting crossroads at this moment in history, there have been significant successes and challenging setbacks. The political voices and committed activism of women are at an all-time high, particularly from women of color,” said Dr. Tracey Salisbury, assistant professor, interdisciplinary studies. “CSUB’s annual Gender Matter Symposium gives our campus community a golden opportunity to engage in discussion with leading activists and educators as well as showcasing the amazing students on our campus. The symposium is a wonderful opportunity to listen, learn, and engage on difficult issues and seek next step solutions for the future.”

The online event will feature a full schedule from start to finish. The day will begin with a welcome by Dr. Salisbury as well as opening remarks from CSUB President Dr. Lynnette Zelezny and Dr. Debra Jackson, interim associate vice president for academic affairs and dean for academic programs.

The first keynote speaker, Tiffany Cross will begin at 10 a.m., as Dr. Salisbury hosts “A Conversation with Tiffany Cross.”

A student panel with moderator Afaf Aldhulay, campus programming coordinator, will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The student panelists are listed at the end of this story.

Following that conversation at noon, Dr. Salisbury and Dr. Ivy Cargile will hold discussion with Rosa Clemente – activist and educator. They will discuss multiple pressing issues that women of color are currently facing in America.

Finally, at 1 p.m., Dr. Safiya Umoja will join Dr. Salisbury and Dr. Rhonda Dugan to discuss her book, “Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism” and will break down the issues that Black women and other women of color experience in the world of social media.

Other highlights during the event will include a Jai’s Library tribute by CSUB alumnus and San Francisco State University and gender studies graduate student, Samantha DeLaCruz; a presentation, “Trans Lives Matter – Protect All Our Sisters” by CSUB alumnus and George Mason University sociology graduate student, Delia Solis; and a few words from CSUB Dreamer Center Director Hilda Nieblas Valenzuela.

The Gender Matters Symposium will be an opportunity to listen, learn, participate and make the world a better and more connected place.

This event is made possible by CSUB’s Campus Programming, CSUB’s Interdisciplinary Studies, the Kegley Institute of Ethics, Club GEN and CSUB’s Black Faculty and Staff Association.

To register for the event, follow this link. It is free and open to the public.

The student panelists that will speak at this event include:

Zelzin Estra Rodriquez: Zeltzin Estrada-Rodriguez is a senior who is double majoring in English and psychology. She is the social justice and ethnic studies news reporter for the school’s independently run newspaper, The Runner. Zelzin also works as a writing tutor for CSUB’s Writing Resource Center. She has a passion for learning and understanding human experience.
Uchechi Okey-Dike: Uchechi Okey-Dike is a junior majoring in biology. She is a CSUB Students for Quality Education intern and deeply committed to making the college experience better for all students. She is also the student assistant for the Helen Hawks Honors Program, and the president for the Junior Year Experience Program.
Brittany Johnson: Brittany Johnson is a senior who is majoring in philosophy with a minor in psychology. She is an intern with the Kegley Institute of Ethics, a CSUB Athletics assistant academic advisor, the treasurer of CSUB Philosophy Club, and the secretary of Phi Sigma Tau, National Philosophy Honor Society, CSUB chapter. She plans to continue her academic studies pursuing an M.S. in Educational Counseling at CSUB.
Krystal Raynes: Krystal Raynes is the 2020-2022 CSU Student Trustee. On campus she works as a computer science supplemental instructor as she pursues her undergrad degree in computer science. As a first-generation student, AAPI woman she’s had to fight for her degree in collaboration with other amazing women on campus.
Brianna Santaella: Brianna Santaella is a junior majoring in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. She is a longtime member of Club GEN and the current president of the organization. She’s a committed activist to LGBTQ+ issues and race and social issues.