Bowling Green to Host Annual Gender and Women’s Studies Writing Contest
The annual Gender and Women’s Studies writing contest is set to make a return this year, inviting students from across the University to showcase their creativity and comprehension of feminist themes and issues. The competition, now in its 26th iteration, allows students to express their understanding of gender issues through written formats such as poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction.
Participation and Submission
All interested students are encouraged to participate in this competition with reflective pieces of up to 750 words. Students can submit their entries either via email or physically bring them to the office at Cherry Hall 110A before 4 p.m. on March 22.
Apart from their work, participants are required to submit an accompanying cover sheet that includes their name, university ID number, contact information, graduate status, and the name and genre of their piece.
Roles and Expectations
Two skilled evaluators will review the submissions and determine the winners. Selected winners from both the undergraduate and graduate categories will be recognized in the annual awards ceremony arranged by the English department in late April.
An alumni of the competition who twice clinched the winning position advises contestants to have fun with their pieces and successfully convey the feminist or gender issues artistically. They also suggested that the submissions should be successful within their form, citing an example of a poem that communicates effectively through strategic spacing and line breaks.
Importance of the Event
Writing contests of this ilk foster a sense of community among participating students, providing a platform for them to showcase their skills and challenge their writing abilities. This contest, in particular, gives participants an opportunity to introspect on themes related to feminism and gender issues, and express their perspectives for others to learn and reflect on.
Future Ambitions
Given the longstanding tradition of this writing contest, there are hopes within the department that financial support will facilitate the publication of a collection of winning pieces from over the years. Such a compilation would not only serve as a testament to the contest’s success but also create an enduring resource for students and staff in the study of gender and feminism.
