I am still waiting for the Douglas book to be returned at the library but in the meantime I will upload my summary of the Adrienne Rich piece.
Adrienne Rich “Claiming an Education”
Convocation Speech at Douglass College
Rich’s theme for this speech is that women need to take an active role in claiming their education rather than sitting idly by and taking it for granted. They need to voice their opinions and take responsibility for themselves. I actually found this sort of ironic though because she gave this speech at a graduation ceremony when it may be too late for some of these women. I thought it may have been more relevant to talk about claiming one’s place in society such as their position in their future careers.
Rich discusses how there are few women in the upper levels of the faculty at Douglass college, much like other universities or corporations. She talks about how we are taught history based on what white men decided is important. She also mentions how many professors do not think that teaching at a women’s college is a prestigious opportunity but Rich believes that a women’s college is actually a very intellectually fertile place.
Rich outlines a contract that the students and teachers must commit to in order for both sides to succeed; the students must demand to be taken seriously and also take themselves seriously, and the teachers must believe that a woman's mind and experiences are valuable and unique.
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