Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

International Women’s Day Celebration

A Politics of Friendship: Revolutionary Women in 20th Century Bengal

In Conversation w/ Dr. Farida Begum

12 March 2026
4:00 pm
Centennial Hall 1804

Refreshments Provided!
Everyone Welcome! Bring your friends!

This free and open to the public talk examines revolutionary women through the analytic of friendship. By foregrounding a “Politics of friendship,” Dr. Begum’s work rethinks women’s agency in national histories and highlights friend relationships as a crucial aspect of anticolonial politics in 1930s Bengal. Following her talk, Dr. Begum will connect the past with the present and welcome attendees to join a community discussion on friendships in their own lives.

This event is made possible by the generous support of The Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, The Office of Research and sponsored Programs, The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, multicultural Student Services, the American Indian Studies Program, the Latin American and Latinx Studies Program, the English Department, and the College of Arts andSciences. We are also grateful for the support of Dr. Rose-Marie Avin, professor Emeritus, UW-Eau Claire Foundation Staff, and the many REGSS Affiliates and Friends who have donated to the Avin Intersectional Women’s Center.

As we prepare for the start of the spring semester tomorrow, we want to make sure to celebrate the graduation of WGSS majors Fátima Chávez and Angie Elizalde this past December! The REGSS community is excited to see what you both do next! Congratulations!

Stay tuned for more updates on this year’s conference!

A big welcome to first year and returning students from REGSS faculty, affiliates, and friends! Great to see so many Blugolds at Academic Opening Day!

Image 1: Dr. Bibiana Fuentes (Languages + REGSS/Latin American & Latinx Studies affiliate), a Junior Scholar + friend of REGSS, Dr. Rae Langes (REGSS), Dr. Heather Ann Moody (American Indian Studies + REGSS affiliate), Dr. Katrina Stullken Rothrock (Mathematics + friend of REGSS)

Image 2. Dr. Kati Barahona-López (Sociology + REGSS/Latin American & Latinx Studies affiliate), Dr. Bibiana Fuentes (Languages + REGSS/Latin American & Latinx Studies affiliate), Dr. Rae Langes (REGSS), and Junior Scholars + friends of REGSS!

Congratulations to Casaiya Keyser, who just graduated with a degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies! Casaiya’s research on abolition activism combined with extensive campus programming has enriched UWEC and the broader Eau Claire community while supporting the important missions of spaces like the Dr. Rose-Marie Avin Intersectional Women’s Center and the Black Cultural Center. We can’t wait to see what you do next, Casaiya! Pictured in photo 1 from left to right: Dr. Sarita Jayanty Mizin (English/REGSS, Director of Avin Center), Dr. Kaozong Mouavangsou (Critical Hmong Studies/WGSS/REGSS), Dr. Rae Langes (WGSS/LGBTQ Studies/REGSS), and WGSS alumna Casaiya Keyser.

Congrats to Austyn Clemen (Sociology & Communication Studies Double Major, Spanish Minor) and Halcyon LeRoy (WGSS and Psychology Double Major, Creative Writing Certificate) for presenting their project, “What Happened to the Care? Rethinking Healthcare in the Eau Claire Metropolitan Area,” at CERCA this year! This project was developed with faculty advisers Dr. Josephine Kipgen (REGSS) and Dr. Pam Forman (Sociology, REGSS affiliate). See the abstract copied below:
 
The Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) and Prevea closures in early 2024 sent shudders through the Eau Claire Metropolitan Area (ECMA). Hospital closures in rural and urban regions have disastrous effects, as they exacerbate healthcare barriers, increase ambulance transport times, and worsen mortality for time-sensitive conditions. This literature review aims to thoroughly detail the effects of the HSHS/Prevea closures throughout the ECMA, especially the impact on marginalized populations. This review will be the foundation for a future qualitative research project, in which we will interview leaders of nonprofit organizations, lobbying groups, and local government. After hearing their strategies for rebuilding our medical care system, we will culminate our research by distributing a policy brief to stakeholders and hosting a university symposium on healthcare equity in order to advance healthcare policy in the ECMA.

Come by for a quick snack and/or a place to study! All are welcome!

Congratulations to Elijah Williams for presenting his paper, “The Ongoing Impact of Gender-Affirming Surgery on Transgender Patients’ Health and Social Welfare: A Comprehensive Analysis,” which was first developed in WGSS 306: Trans Activism and Cultural Production, taught by REGSS faculty Dr. Rae Langes. As Elijah writes, “This research examines the accessibility of gender-affirming surgery and its impact on the health of transgender persons who receive it.” Thank you to Elijah’s parents, Mrs. and Mr. Williams, for attending the presentation! Excellent work Elijah!

We’re so proud of WGSS major Fátima Chávez for presenting her research poster, “Breaking Defiant Boundaries: Sexy Latinas Reclaiming and Redefining the Sexy Latina Stereotype at PWIs,” and for receiving an award in recognition of her work at this year’s UW Women’s and Gender Studies Consortium Conference! Congratulations Fátima!