Student Profile: Emma Tucker
During my first year at Chatham, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23) have noticed that so many interesting people attend Chatham, and our sense of community is strong, even during hard times. In an effort to showcase just a few of these great people, I’ll be doing a series of student interviews in the coming weeks. These highlights are for students, about students, and by students. This week I am featuring Emma Tucker ‘20.
Emma Tucker is an influential character at Chatham. She is the president of the Chatham Feminist Coalition, a member of the Women’s Living Learning Community, and a participant in the Chatham Democrats and the Sexual Assault Awareness Committee. Additionally, she works on-campus for the Women’s Institute. On top of all this, she is a lover of the color pink, a fashion icon, and active advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. I recently caught up with her to talk about her work and upcoming plans.
Emma Tucker ‘20
Major: Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in Criminology
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Q: After your upcoming graduation in December, what are your plans?
A: Well, I recently got married and my husband and I are planning on moving to Utah. I want to take a break after graduation and spend some time with him, but after that I have about ten different ideas of what I want to do! I want to go to grad school for sure and maybe even law school.
Q: How would you describe the Women’s and Gender Studies major at Chatham?
A: My major is very much an intersection between theory and research. We study various feminist and gender theories and learn how to apply these through research and social activism. There is also a big focus on studying history and understanding how crucial it is to see how far we have come and how far we have to go in regards to gender equity. I’m currently in an Ecofeminist Literature class and I am applying the theory I have learned there to Dolly Parton lyrics for my final. What you learn as a Women’s and Gender Studies major can be applied anywhere!
Q: Can you tell me about your study abroad experience?
A: I did a Cultural Experiences Abroad program in Prague; it was great! Not only did I make great friends and memories, but I also got to intern with Prague Pride while I was there. I worked as their guest services coordinator and did research for LGBTQ+ couples on the difficulties they face when adopting. I also helped with research for LGBTQ+ youth services.
Q: Is there a professor or staff member that brightens your day?
A: Dr. Jessie Ramey is so incredibly nice and cares deeply for the Chatham community. She is the head of the Women’s Institute and I look up to her a lot. One year she invited the entire Women’s LLC for brunch at her home and that’s something I will never forget. Dr. Christine Sarteschi is also great! She teaches Criminology and she is wickedly smart, very accommodating, and super nice. She’s always got an answer for my many questions!
Q: Outside of your studies what do you enjoy doing?
A: I love baking, fashion, and all things pink; I love incorporating it into my outfits. I also love playing video games, which actually is how I met my husband. When I’m in Pittsburgh, I love going to this Korean Bakery in Squirrel Hill with my friends that has the best green tea bread!
Q: What’s your favorite initiative you have headed?
A: Last fall the Feminist Coalition hosted a Loving the Body event where we openly created a space for body positivity across different cultures. I got a lot of positive feedback for that event and I am planning to host it again in the fall.
Q: What’s the best class you’ve taken at Chatham?
A: I took a Women’s Literature course where we studied literature that was written by women through a woman’s eyes. We read Jane Eyre in that class which really sparked my interest in the novel and now I’m doing my senior capstone on it.
Q: What’s one thing you’re excited for right now?
A: I’m excited for my husband to come back from deployment which has been delayed because of the quarantine. We have a house in Utah that is ready when he does and it’s really beautiful there. I’m also excited to host more events for the Feminist Coalition. We had a Spring Queening drag queen event that got cancelled that hopefully we will be able to do in the fall!
If you’d like to learn more about the offerings and opportunities associated with Chatham’s Women’s and Gender Studies major, click here. To learn more about the Chatham Feminist Coalition, click here.