Kate Holley

Name: Kate Holley
Class: Senior
Majors: History and Philosophy, Politics, and the Public
Minors: Gender and Diversity Studies, Political Science, and Peace Studies
In the Spring of 2007, I participated in a study abroad/internship program in London England. I took three courses from the London School of Economics, and interned in the British Parliament. While interning is often hard and thankless work, I enjoyed learning about a system of government that has influenced many other democracies throughout the world. Simultaneously, I became intrigued with the concept of the British Empire–arguably one of the first form of globalization. For my final dissertation at the LSE, I researched the independence movements in several African countries that had once been ruled by the crown. My fascination grew when I learned about the women of those countries that played such significant roles in the independence movements. By combining my interest in women’s studies, politics, and social issues, I was able to construct a research topic for my Brueggeman Fellowship.
Through the Brueggeman Fellowship, I am researching women’s roles in community development in Ghana, West Africa. I am especially interested in educational programs for women (health, microcredit, agriculture, etc.) and how these programs allow women to make positive strides within their communities. Oftentimes there is very little emphasis placed on the achievements that women can and do make to better their respective societies. I hope that through my research, I can more fully understand and appreciate women’s contributions within Ghana.
My myriad of other activities include volunteering at Over-The-Rhine Community Housing–an organization that provides affordable housing, tutoring adult GED courses through Power Inspires Progress, working with children through my job at CincyAfterSchools, and co-directing the largest upperclassmen retreat on Xavier’s campus. After all of this I still manage to find time to enjoy books and fine films, singing, and attempting to play my guitar.