black women and feminism
Ohio Wesleyan students complete coursework and research in Southern Africa
Name: Faith Deschamps ’24
home town: East Orange, New Jersey
high school: East Orange STEM Academy
major: Black World Studies and Women and Gender Studies
minor: religion and sociology and anthropology
OWU connection experience: Visited 3 countries in Southern Africa (Eswatini, Lesotho, South Africa) to complete Women and Gender Studies/Health Communication On-site learning course To conduct research with financial support from. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grants
DEI grant research
Deschamps’ research project is titled “Black Women and the Importance of Feminism on the Continent: My Experience in Southern Africa.”
“Through this DEI grant-funded project, I researched and learned about the many cultural identities and practices across Southern Africa and the important role Black women often play in preserving these traditions and keeping communities alive. .”
“I am fascinated by the role that black Southern African women have played in health work, political movements, social and kinship networks, and how their involvement in all aspects of Southern African life has kept their communities intact. I learned how to make it thrive. Without women, there is no home and no community.”
On-site learning course
Deschamps traveled to Southern Africa in May and June to complete her spring semester course, “Health Communication: Black Women and Feminism.” Her faculty members Poken Daly (Journalism and Communication) and Dawn Chisebe (Africa, Gender, and Identity Studies/AGIS) taught classes and led a three-week trip as part of the training. OWU connection.
“Through my travel studies course, I learned the importance of perspective, especially when learning about history and people,” Deschamps says. It is important to constantly challenge notions of colonialism and decolonize ideas about femininity and women’s roles outside of the Western world.
“In my research on black women’s involvement in cultural and political spheres and health activities in southern Africa, I challenged my own understanding of Africa, the way it was taught in schools, and formed my own understanding of the land. I learned how to do that culture and its people.”
career focus
“This trip helped me focus on my future career path. I am currently a senior in college and plan to begin applying to graduate school this fall to pursue a Ph.D. Africana and Gender Identity in Research. This trip highlighted my future in Black Studies and an example of my ability to travel around the world to research and learn about cultures.
“Traveling with Dr. Daly and Professor Chisebe was honestly probably the best experience I’ve ever had with a professor in my life. …Despite the challenges we faced, we pivoted and… Their ability to work for me was amazing to witness.My experience would not have been as amazing if both of them had not accompanied me on this journey. I think so! Thank you both so much for the great job you’ve done. That’s something I will never take for granted.”
memorable moments
“My favorite moment of the trip was being at the Mantenga Cultural Village and dancing with members of the Swazi tribe in a traditional dance ceremony. I was able to share an art form that I love and appreciate so much. , it was an amazing moment to be able to connect with a part of their culture through the medium of dance.”
campus involvement
“I am a resident assistant, a student director on the AGIS committee, a member of the Battling Elite Stars Majorette team, and a pillar of the Ohio Wesleyan community.”
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
“While I was very upset about the financial aid package, I was also intrigued by the academic, study abroad and community service programs the school offered.”
Plans after graduation
“I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Africana and Gender Identity Studies and aim to become a professor and future historian in the field. OWU will provide me with the ability to pursue higher education and Opportunities and encounters with amazing faculty members who opened my eyes to my future as a global Black scholar helped me achieve these goals.”
OWU Travelers
In addition to Mr. Deschamps, students from Ohio Wesleyan SK brander, Jemima Chukwuemeka, Nuri Craig, Khodan Khalif, Emma Luft, Willow Rosser, carly sanders, Grayson Wellsand jasmine zimmerman I also traveled to southern Africa as part of this project. On-site learning course The study examined “the relationships between language, culture, race, gender, and positioning on health outcomes and the unique ways in which Black women frame activities around access to and creation of public health resources.” .
