Lise works full-time, is married to military personnel, and has an Associates degree from community college.  She is working towards a LS degree in Anthropology/ Sociology and Gender Studies. Her ideal career would be to work with homeless women or to be involved in a support program for teenage girls.

" I usually discuss whatever I might be learning in school with members of my family, friends, and sometimes coworkers.  Throughout this gender studies course, I witnessed people I thought were worldly and wise squirm in discomfort. I have also felt the discomfort and pain in having to point out prejudice wielded by people I love.  I confronted people about racist comments against Mexicans and Native Americans, both of which I have as members of my immediate family… This being my second course online course at EOU, I am pleased with the ‘community’ I experience. The professors’ unending encouragement eliminated any feeling I might have had of being hundreds of miles southwest of La Grande.  Because of the quality of these classes, I will remain with EOU until I get my BA." 

Trisha is married and has two children ages (8) and (20 mos.). She is a LS student with minors in Biology and Sociology and plans to teach high school biology. 

"Women have the right to learn what they can about this topic and not be restricted because they can’t be on campus.  Most of the women that are benefiting from this class are ones that are experiencing the most oppression.  They are the ones that don’t have the luxury of being a full time student but are forced to work to survive.  This type of class enables them to further their education while learning about social constraints and what can be done about them. I was quite pleased with what I experienced throughout the term.  I learned an incredible amount regarding the issues of oppression.  I have gained a better understanding of what exactly oppression is and how men continue to influence it.  I have also gained information that can be passed on to other women so they too have a better understanding of what has taken place as well as the current issues regarding this subject.  Awareness is the key to reconstruction and future change.  This class provides the awareness that I needed."

Christine is a graduate from community college and working towards a LS degree.  She describes herself as a white, widowed, woman living in the lower income bracket, raising two children ages (16) and (11). 

"This course offered anonymity and a place (may be the only place) for a woman to say exactly what is on her mind without fear of being told that she is dumb or stupid. I personally appreciate the safety. By feeling safe, I am much more apt to say what is really on my mind. I tend to be more tolerant of others opinion on line because I know that this is where students practice speaking in their own voice. Having taken many online classes-- this one has been the best-formatted and most consistent classes to date. Thanks for the great class."

Bonni: She describes herself as happily married person of religious faith, a woman of Native American heritage, a working mother, and a student who wants to pursue a Masters degree in public health. 

"To me, the web format fits a gender studies very well.  Those women who are trying to balance work, family and school greatly benefit from gender studies classes.  This type of class fights ignorance about gender discrimination that I see as part of the cause of gender inequality.  It enables women, who would otherwise not be able to become educated, to pursue a career.  It also enables those women to still love their families and take care of themselves in the manner they see fit without compromising any values." 

"My views on ‘Gender and Politics’ have changed from a narrow vision to a universal vision. One author changed my way of thinking about my own body. I am attractive but still struggle with the fact that I am not thin enough or sexy enough.  She stated that the psychological impact I place on myself comes from a form of oppression from male gender based oppression.    This article stimulated a lot of debate in my household of men and it changed some of the ways the talk about women." 

Lynn: Has an Associates degree in office administration and is currently working on a minor in business.  She works full-time.

" I would have benefited so much from this knowledge had I been exposed to it thirty years ago. I have learned how I feel about feminism and gained broader gender awareness. In the online discussion, I felt I could be open about all the issues regardless of their sensitivities.  I felt that I had benefited from classmates sharing their experiences because their "lens" gave me a different way to view course readings."

Bobbie: Bobbie: Works on a U.S. military installation in Germany where she lives with her husband. She hopes to get a Masters degree in library science. 

" The personal contact of this class was not lost in the web-based format. The   topics discussed in this class bring up so many personal thoughts that cannot always be added to the formal post of the week. In this respect the student lounge was a great way to continue the discussions and informal learning that normally occurs after class on campus. Responses and replies were respectful and passionate at the same time. I can see gender in, and its effects on, the world around me more clearly now."

" I was not fully informed or prepared for competent discussions on gender before this course, but my life’s experience had prepared me for related issues such as race, poverty, homophobia, etc. The other students’ identities had a large effect on their participation and the combination of all our unique perspectives offered great insights and fostered learning and understanding of the material. Overall, I was very pleased with the course and its format. I will definitely recommend it to other students."