An impactful end to the year in the WGSS department

Story and photos by Britany Adorno-Alicea

Professor of linguistics at Alaska Native Language Center Ana Berge, middle, discusses the changes done to ANLC.

The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department hosted their yearly end of the year celebration, which discussed happenings on campus, highlighted program student’s work and handed out awards to accomplished community members.

Starting in the fall of 2024, hosted by Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Political Science Carol Grey, the WGSS department meets once a month to discuss topics relating to the exploration of how gender and sexuality shape our world.

Dr. Grey began the celebration by acknowledging that WGSS is all about having solidarity with other minority groups across the university. Guest speaker and professor of linguistics at Alaska Native Language Center Anna Berge spoke  on what is happening now in the program. The faculty senate recently passed a resolution in support of the Alaska Native Language Center, urging that all positions that have been cut over the years be restored. “This is bigger than ANLC,” said Berge.

Four graduate and undergraduate students shared their research. Students Rafaela Hertkorn-Hass, Olivia Ryan, Charisma Watkins, and Chase Thompson presented.

UAF sophomore and Political science major Charisma Watkins gave her presentation on the life of Brenda Itta Lee, the first Alaskan Native woman to be elected into the Alaska State House of Representatives. Brenda Itta Lee passed away in September of 2025 and was said to have been a true pioneer. “Her story and life was so great and I want more people to know about it,” said Watkins. 

Student speakers Chase Thompson, left, Charisma Watkins, and Rafaela Hertkorn-Hass spoke about their student research on April 8, 2026.

Psychology major and political science, justice, and WGSS minor Raphaela Hertkorn-Hass presented  on the world post Roe v. Wade and the impact losing the federal right to abortion has had on women’s health and reproductive healthcare rights. Her presentation covered the history of the Roe v. Wade case and how that has impacted women today, such as preexisting problems that have gotten worse since the case’s overturning. “If we want to write laws and policies, they need to act by science,” said Hertkorn-Hass. “Religion and beliefs have no room in those places.”

Political Science major and graduating senior Olivia Ryan gave her presentation on the Manosphere vs Femosphere. Through her presentation, Ryan went on  about the newly developed and lesser known Femosphere and how it alongside the manosphere impacts the online anti-feminist social movements. “The content we consume is influential, whether we realize it or not,” said Ryan. “It’s important to pay attention to those messages that are being promoted to us.”

The final presenter was Arctic and Northern Studies master’s student Chase Thompson, who discovered her topic for her research from a book she had found while thrifting. Thompson’s topic was on Bacha Posh, a practice in Afghanistan where the eldest daughter in a family is raised as a boy to allow them to have social benefits and more rights and freedom than if they were socialized as a girl, but eventually these girls are made to return to a life of a woman. “These practices are happening and I think that there’s a lot of emotional and psychological damage that can come from that.” Bacha Posh is a phrase that directly translates to “dressing as a boy,” according to Thompson’s research. “Women’s rights and trans rights are equal,” said Thompson, as the main takeaway from her research. 

Awards were given to speakers that gave talks throughout the year, including professors Samantha Botz, Ingrid Johnson, and Mary Ludwig. Awards were also given out to outstanding students within the WGSS minor such as child development major and WGSS minor Kylie Spanos, psychology major and WGSS minor Lydia Hodchin, and anthropology major and WGSS minor Jay Clark.

The meeting wrapped up with staff and students giving Carol Grey an award for her courageous leadership and gifts as appreciation for her hard work and dedication to the success of the WGSS program and for her courage,