Meet Ella Mitchell
Majors: Psychology, Women's and Gender Studies Minors: Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies Hometown: Aurora, Nebraska
Why did you select your majors and minors? I came into college knowing that I wanted to major in Women’s and Gender Studies, as I have always been interested in how gender shapes society and have had a passion for issues related to gender inequity and sexuality. Through my WGS courses, I found a passion for activism and advocacy work, specifically within the fields of reproductive justice and abortion rights. So, I chose to add minors in Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs and LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies. These programs have truly changed my life; they have helped me to find my passion and my purpose in the world. A passion for advocacy for social justice and a purpose of creating safe spaces wherever I go and empowering others to create meaningful change in their communities.
What is your favorite course you have taken from your programs and why? My favorite WGS course has been WMNS 210 Activism and Feminist Communities. Through this class I had my first introduction to feminist activism through a volunteer role at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska. As a volunteer, I participated in phone banking where I called community members to contact their senators about important legislative issues, helped facilitate organization events, and collected petition signatures for the Protect Our Rights ballot initiative to protect abortion rights for Nebraskans. Through these experiences, I met many inspiring activists, and I felt empowered to continue doing such meaningful and important work. Without the support of my professors and the Women’s and Gender Studies program giving me the opportunity to gain hands on experience, I may not have discovered my passion for activism work. This course and the connections I made through it led me to an internship opportunity with Planned Parenthood and the creation of my feminist activism RSO on campus, Generation Action.
Who have been some of your strongest mentors or role models here? Dr. Rose Holz, Dr. Jiling Duan, and Kat Krutak-Bickert have had the biggest influence on my college career. Dr. Holz and Dr. Duan have taught my favorite courses, created safe spaces for students on campus, and have always encouraged the use of joy as resistance, something that is so important to me. Kat has always supported me, pushed me to be my authentic self, and encourages me to push myself outside of my comfort zone. These
people have helped me grow immensely and I am extremely grateful for their constant support.
Have you had an internship or job? During my junior year I had the opportunity to serve as the Public Affairs intern for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska. Throughout my internship I engaged with the community on reproductive justice issues. I focused on the Protect Our Rights ballot initiative and collected petition signatures to achieve the requirement needed for the petition to be placed on the ballot. I also held phone banks where I contacted community members and provided them with important information regarding the election and the initiative. Every weekend I canvassed Planned Parenthood supporting neighborhoods and shared information with the community about the election. Through door knocking and phone banking I was able to advocate for important reproductive justice issues. Through this hands-on experience, I was able to utilize concepts from my classes in my advocacy work. In my Women’s and Gender Studies courses I am constantly pushed to think critically about feminist and social justice issues, and this has greatly expanded my understanding of the current political climate. I have worked to understand feminist history and theory, the intersections of many societal issues and oppressions, and how gender shapes our society. I have gained a whole new understanding of the world around me and how society operates in gendered ways. This knowledge has helped me to be a stronger activist and given me the ability to confidently advocate for what I believe in.
Did you/are you going to study abroad? This past summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden. In Denmark I studied Danish feminist activism and in Sweden I studied the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in Scandinavia. This global experience changed me in so many powerful ways. It has given me a more global feminist perspective, pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and helped me to find a new sense of independence and confidence in myself, my values, and my beliefs.
What are you involved in on campus or in the community? On campus I am a William H. Thompson Scholar and Undergraduate Assistant for the learning community, am co-founder and President of Generation Action, I serve as a Peer Educator for the Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education, am a member of the Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board, and am an Honors Program member. Within the community I am a volunteer at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska and am a cheer coach assistant and choreographer for the Standing Bear Highschool cheer squad.
What are your plans after graduation? I am not entirely sure what my next steps are, but I aspire to have a career in activism and
advocacy for reproductive justice and gender equity, and these goals have been shaped by my experiences studying Women’s and Gender Studies. Being challenged to analyze feminist perspectives in my courses, gaining hands on experience working as an activist, and my leadership on campus have prepared me to continue fighting for equitable policies and transformative action in my communities. I am incredibly grateful for the amazing experiences I have had these past three years and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to WGS and empower others to create change.
