Everybody wants to change the world, but Kelly Davis is actually doing it.
A senior, English film studies and sociology major with a minor in women’s studies, Kelly has made it a personal goal to promote social equality and spread awareness of gender and transgender issues.
“I’d really like to help change the cultural conception of gender, sexuality, and attraction and work towards ending that kind of oppression,” says Kelly.
Kelly advocates for her vision of equality through her many campus activities. She is the president of SAGE – Students Advocating for Gender Equality – a group that meets every Thursday at 6PM in the Hadley Union Building (HUB) Conemaugh room to promote egalitarianism and raise awareness of gender inequity in today’s society. She is also involved in IUP Pride Alliance, an organization that seeks to provide a safe and supportive environment for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Additionally, Kelly works as an AWARE peer educator in IUP’s Center for Health and Well Being, giving presentations about different health issues that college students face as well as planning campaigns on campus that promote healthy and positive lifestyles. As a peer, Kelly also works with the Haven Project to support kind and loving relationships and to provide information and outreach on the topic of domestic violence.
“Being a peer educator comes with a sense that by promoting education, I’m helping to change things,” says Kelly. “If I can get one person to learn something or question their worldview, then I’ve made a difference.”
After college, Kelly plans to continue to spread her knowledge in any possible way. “I’d have to say that my dream job is probably either a librarian or a professor,” she says. “I’d really like to wind up continuing to study and teach about sociology or at least be able to work with books and other forms of media instead.”
In addition to unwavering determination, Kelly also possesses a strong sense of wisdom. She understands that trying to bring about social change isn’t easy, and offers great advice to those who may get discouraged from achieving goals similar to hers.
“Our society, unfortunately, is still extremely sexist, and so it can be hard to try and fight through that as you’re constantly being pushed back down,” she says. “The only thing you can do is continue to try for your goals, and look for spaces that are safe and comfortable for you – surround yourself with people who are supportive and aware of sexist issues.”
No matter where life takes her, Kelly will undoubtedly find success, mostly because of the faith she places in herself as well as her refusal to give up the fight for social equality.
“You can’t always accomplish everything you set out to do,” she admits. “But even just believing in yourself and striving to go beyond is an act of defiance against those trying to keep you down.”