How Identity Has Influenced a Co Director LA Senior Program at Minds Matter SoCal's Career
Beth's experience as a woman navigating a career began in a 1970s college landscape where "the world was very different for women," with limited female professors and a sense of isolation for many women students. This early challenge, however, fueled their commitment to change, leading to significant contributions and recognition, culminating in receiving an award which confirmed their impact and solidified their sense of pride in their career trajectory.
Overcoming Challenges, Leadership, Women's Issues, Higher Education, Making a Difference
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Beth Garfield
Co-Director, LA Senior Program
Minds Matter SoCal
Stanford University, 1974
University of Michigan Law School
Psychology
Law, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Legal
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Beth's experience as a woman in college in the 1970s, where women were a minority in her classes and faced isolation, highlights the historical context of gender inequality in higher education and professional fields.
2. Beth's involvement in women's issues during college and her commitment to making a change demonstrates the importance of advocacy and perseverance in addressing gender imbalance.
3. Beth's receiving the Dinkle Spiel Award for her contributions during her time at Stanford showcases the positive impact of advocating for women and the recognition such efforts can receive, inspiring students to pursue similar endeavors in their future careers
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
When I went to college in 1970, the world was very different for women. My class was 30% women, which was an enormous increase. The classes before me had about 25% to 30% women, so things were going in the right direction, but it was a slow progression.
I was talking with a friend who went to Radcliffe. There were very few women in her class, maybe 25%, and they all felt isolated. They weren't necessarily in dorms together and weren't encouraged to build a community.
That wasn't true at Stanford. My dorm had three floors: one for men, and two for women. I saw possibilities in my life and became very involved in women's issues, seeing it as an important part of my identity.
When I started college, there were very few women professors, and the ones that were there were all assistant professors. It was exciting for me to have that challenge. I think challenges are great for young people; they can either be defeated or excited by them.
I was excited by the challenge and feel I am who I am today because I had that challenge and felt committed to making a change. I believe I did make a change during my four years in college, not only for myself but for the college itself as well.
When I graduated, they gave two awards to graduating seniors, one for a man and one for a woman. I received the one for a woman, the Dinkle Spiel Award. I was blown away by what they said about me.
It confirmed to me that, as a young woman in college at Stanford, I had made a difference. I still feel very proud of that. When I was recently honored at the Claimant Institute as one of the founders, I talked about how meaningful and precious that was to me.
Although there were few women in positions of power when I started college, I felt that had changed, and I had played a role in helping that change. I was really honored by that.