The Convergence included 3 workshops where participants could come together in smaller groups to delve deeper into subjects including identity, masculinity and intersectionality. A fourth workshop built on the #wikiD project by ArchiteXX, writing womxn designers into Wikipedia through the creation of new pages and the expansion of existing pages for womxn designers.

Workshop 1: Identity

Led by Rosetta Lee

This workshop will examine how identity development affects how we show up in the world, how we relate to one another, and how we negotiate systems of oppression and dominance in US society. Through storytelling and creating visuals, we will connect our journeys, express our identity pride, and recognize our resilience. We will close with hopes and actions for building intra-group and inter-group solidarity and movement.

Since 2004, Rosetta has been a diversity speaker and trainer on a variety of topics, including cross cultural communication, identity development, implicit and unconscious bias, gender and sexuality diversity, facilitation skills, and bullying in schools. She has worked with over 200 K-12 public and independent schools throughout the country, dozens of conferences and nonprofit organizations, as well as a number of colleges and universities. Rosetta is a graduate of Harvard University class of 1995.

Workshop 2: Masculinities

Led by Andrew Westover

What is masculinity? How do different forms of masculinity show up in professional settings? What does ethical masculinity look like? Beginning with these questions, we will continue through a series of role-playing exercises and discussions to explore how we encounter masculinity in our professional lives. Then, we will determine specific actions we can take to encourage more ethical engagement with masculinity, both for ourselves and others.

Andrew Westover is a doctoral candidate who studies education and ethics at Harvard University. Currently, Andrew's research focuses on teacher/student conflict and the possibilities of forgiveness. Andrew regularly speaks and leads workshops on ethics, sexuality, and gender diversity for museums and libraries, colleges and universities, and faith communities.

Workshop 3: Intersectionality

Led by Sa-kiera Hudson

From being prominently displayed on protest signs to Twitter hashtags, intersectionality is a buzzword that is everywhere, to the point that Merriam-Webster added it as a “word to watch” in 2017. However, what do people mean when they say intersectionality? What the heck is it? We can give a formal definition, e.g. “the interconnected nature of social identities such as race, gender, and class, creating overlapping systems of discrimination”, but that is still confusing. In this presentation, we will look at how psychology understands and defines intersectionality, especially in the context of gender. We will discuss theories like Double Jeopardy Hypothesis and Intersectional invisibility, and the research supporting each. Finally, we will examine our privileges and disadvantages through an intersectional lens. At the end of the workshop, my hope is that individuals leave with the sense that intersectionality is complex but necessary for a complete understanding of our experiences in the world, both from a privilege and disadvantage perspective.

Sa-kiera is a 5th year PhD student in Social Psychology here at Harvard. Her research tries to answer two questions: what are the origins of hierarchy and how are experiences and perceptions changed by being at the intersection of hierarchies. She is a Women and Public Policy Fellow as well as an Inequality and Social Policy Fellow at the Kennedy School.

Workshop 4: Wiki Edit-a-thon

Led by Chelsea Kilburn, Connie Trinh and Kari Roynesdal

Come join GSD WiD to discuss how Wikipedia as a tool can be hacked to reshape the presence of womxn in design on the Internet. This workshop aims to generate a discussion around representation of womxn on Wikipedia and produce an entry for the Shitty Architecture Men (SAM) List.

Chelsea, Connie, and Kari are current Master of Landscape Architecture candidates at the GSD interested in increasing the visibility of women in media.