Emily Elllsworth

English Major, Women's Studies Minor, Editing Minor

From Mesa, Arizona, Emily is an English major who "was always most attracted to literature written about and for women." Emily says she enjoys the interdisciplinary nature of the Women's Studies program and the opportunities for research.

For the minor's capstone course, WS 492, Emily spent a semester working on a small research project about women's relationships with God. This project has helped her decide she would like to do more women's studies research as a graduate student. She plans on getting a master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and a PhD in some field related to gender/women's studies (after she returns from serving a full-time mission for the Church).

Emily is currently very involved with BYU's leadership education program: She's been involved with the Student Leadership Seminar for the last four semesters. Emily also volunteered as a Foundations of Leadership counselor, and is currently working on the committee for the upcoming Women's Leadership Conference and doing research to improve the leadership education program.

She also enjoy dancing, singing (she was in University Chorale last semester), and editing. In fact, Emily is currently a T.A. for two editing classes, and has interned with FARMS and the School of Family Life.

According to Emily:

"I'm very genuinely glad that I decided to take the extra year to minor in women's studies. Over the last two semesters I've taken Women's Health (Hlth 450), Psychology of Gender (Psych 306), International Political Economy of Women (PlSc 472), and Family Law (HFL 461), in addition to the women's studies overview course (WS 222), the lecture series (WS 392R), and the research class (WS 492)--all for the minor. I've received an excellent introduction to some of the problems facing women, and I'm excited now to go out and do something about it!

This semester, in PlSc 472, Professors Bowen and Hudson have introduced the idea that the best way to help women and improve their status in the world is to spread the Gospel. I'm excited do just that--full time for eighteen months, and then throughout the rest of my life as well. When I return to school and begin graduate work I will learn even more that will help me to bless the lives of women. I know that the things I have learned in the minor have given me a solid foundation that will help me as I serve in the church, in the world, and in my family--for the rest of my life."