While at East Tennessee State University, I received a minor in Women’s Studies. This particular education has been vital to my theatre career. Thankfully the technical theatre industry is becoming more diverse, yet still has leaps and bounds to go.

Through my women’s studies courses, as well as my lived-in experiences, I understand and advocate for the women in this career field. I ensure that all women in the rooms that we inhabit are heard and listened to equally. I am aware of my own voice as a white woman and I consciously make the effort to educate myself. I commit to making my voice not overshadow women of color.

Advocacy for myself, as well as other women in technical theatre, is something I hold as crucial. I encourage conversations on distinctive boundaries, being aware of implicit biases in the workplace, and holding myself and others accountable for treating women in this career to an equal standard of respect.