An interview with Nancy P. Tabs '90, co-chair of the NY Chapter
What do you think is most important about the Women's Studies Alumnae Network?
I think a Women's Studies Alumnae Network is a great way for Brandeis graduates to keep in touch not only with each other, but with Women's Studies. Once we graduate and start to work, our philosophy becomes our practice. We are faced with many challenges: career choices, balancing work and motherhood, or evaluating work vs. motherhood, aging, health issues, financial issues, etc. Our women's studies education formed our base principles from which we are constantly challenging and evaluating our daily lives. I hope the Women's Studies Alumnae Network can help women in our current post-graduate lives to better understand ourselves, create a sense of community, and encourage the kind of discussions and ideas that we enjoyed developing during our time at Brandeis.
What made you decide to co-chair the New York chapter of the network?
I decided to co-chair the New York chapter because I really enjoyed being involved in Women's Studies during my undergraduate years. I co-chaired the Women's Coalition at Brandeis for a year, and was very active in the Women's Studies community. To be able to establish that kind of group at this time in my life is an exciting one which I think many other women will welcome as well. I think the New York chapter can be a great source of networking, communication, and hopefully, a forum for women to exchange ideas and challenges.
How did your women's studies education affect your current pursuits?
My women's studies education helped me create a framework of principles and values that guide me on a day to day basis. I value myself, I value the opportunities that women have created for other women, and I believe that women have a very strong voice in this country when we make our opinions heard. I believe that a woman's financial independence is very important, and I think women struggle with the challenges of career and motherhood. I think my women's studies education made me proud to be a woman, and taught me to challenge the status quo, and hopefully create more opportunities and protect our freedoms not only for myself, but for my daughters, and one day, for their daughters.