Attending author talks/book readings: 2 points

 As a black woman in Economics, it's very scary to be a trailblazer in a field that looks like you. Not because they aren't there, but because there is a disparity in the number of black women in economics. I had the amazing opportunity to meet, sit down with, and listen to Anne Girfty, a trailblazer in the world of economics. This past September, she came to Spelman to have a fireside chat & book signing. 

Her book, titled "The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid," explores how the extra amount of economic burden is placed on women of color when race and gender are compounded together. Exposing beyond socioeconomic factors, but taking a deep dive into cultural price discrimination when it comes to things such as hair care and child care, while also being significantly underemployed and facing obstacles in career advancement, despite being one of the most educated demographics in society. 

Beyond her book, I've come across Anne Gifty via The Sadie Collective. An organization she founded while in undergrad to bring awareness and exposure to the lack of diversity in the economics field, while also opening doors for more women of color to break through the field. Her humanity to want to give back and break through the ceiling is something I truly admire about Anne Gifty. Looking back over the event, I can say my favorite part was having the opportunity to sit down with Anne and, as a Lisa D. Cooks Scholar, having an open conversation surrounding being a black woman in Economics. 

This experience connects closely to my coursework, because as an Economics major, research is a main pillar in its discipline. Seeing the way that Anne Gifty was able to juxtapose and quantify into data the everyday experience of women of color facing intersectional discrimination. It leads me to wonder, as a young aspiring researcher, how I can notice discrimination in my community that may seem culturally the norm and quantify it, to show undisputable data of the historical disparities in this society. 

- Na'Imah Johnson | October 13