Faculty Spotlight
Jill Taylor
Professor, Department Chair of Women's and Gender Studies
Straight Talk about Women and Sexuality
In Professor Jill Taylor's various courses on women and sexuality, she wants her students to know there's no right or wrong way to think. Especially when sex is the topic.
"I like to have a classroom where students feel that they can risk speaking about their ideas and critique the material we are discussing," said Taylor, professor of education and women's and gender studies.
"Women's and Gender Studies seems to attract students with questions, strong ideas, an openness to other ideas, and a determination to improve the world — a great combination in the classroom, as well as in the world," said Taylor.
Carla Doughty '06, considers Taylor a mentor who helped shape her ideas about women, sexuality, and education. "Although I was an English literature major, I discovered the social justice minor within the Women's and Gender Studies department, where Jill encouraged me to follow my passion for women's health. She facilitated my learning and supported me in making the most of my educational experience at Simmons," said Doughty.
Taylor's goal is to educate her students to become good teachers themselves, to become active inquirers, to stretch themselves intellectually, and to become proud of the women they are, and that they are becoming.
"I want them to take themselves seriously as scholars, and as women who have a great deal to contribute to the world."
To read more about Professor Taylor and her body of work, visit Jill's faculty profile page. Also, learn more about Simmons' Women's and Gender Studies department.
