Senior Olivia Ferreira has spent her last four years at URI studying psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies. As an active student on campus, Olivia has become passionate about women’s issues and diverse gender experiences.
Olivia’s participation in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies started at the Women’s Center on campus. She was part of P.L.E.A.S.E, a student directed group that educates students about relationship violence and how to prevent it. It was within this group that Olivia was able to have discussions with URI 101 students concerning consent, sexual assault awareness, advocacy, and bystander intervention. Taking initiative, Olivia has led Take Back The Night, an event dedicated to protesting violence against women. Looking to create a safe space for students, she has also worked with VPAS, Violence Protection and Advocacy Services, in creating a support group dedicated to combating interpersonal violence for the URI community. Olivia’s work at the Women’s Center has served as a catalyst for her continuation of GWS work in her career.
Aligning with the Department’s commitment to human rights and community service, Olivia’s goal is to help spread awareness and develop safe spaces for survivors to come forward. In pursuing her goal, she has worked at Day One in Providence. Day One is an advocacy organization that provides a safe space and sexual violence resources to survivors. Currently, Olivia works with children with developmental and behavioral disorders, while using her GWS knowledge to help empower female patients and have open conversations with them. During her final semester, Olivia’s advocacy continues, and she is presently doing her own research about rape culture across college campuses.
Olivia states, “As an undergrad studying psychology and GWS, I am so proud to represent both departments, especially since I believe they go so hand in hand with one another.” Although her time at URI is ending, Olivia plans to continue her education to get a Ph.D. in clinical psychology to become a psychologist. Olivia has an optimistic outlook about her future. She is looking forward to spreading her knowledge and educating those around her on gender diverse issues.
Written by Jena Panas, GWS major ‘22