It was a fateful day when Jake (MSB ‘24) (the Jake to your left), found out that the US is one of the only countries in the world without any federal maternity leave. Apparently, that’s all it took for Jake to shut his mouth and finally ponder the state of women in America. “I always knew that like in other countries it sucked to be a woman, but here? In the U S of A? No way, this country is about freedom. I was, like, totally blown away when I saw the infographic on Emily’s story about how, like, women can’t take care of their babies because their work is just like nah,” Jake bravely confessed. Jake also says “he feels really sad because women should be able to hang out with their babies without out worrying about work,”

 As Jake’s eloquently put statement indicates, he has taken a greater interest in women’s rights and has started enrolling in Gender Studies classes. According to his professor, he “consistently contributes to class, and even shows so much interest that he regularly interrupts his female peers to add his own insight.” Stories like Jakes go to show how we can constantly grow and change and learn new things. Understanding that women are also people is a lifelong journey, and not an easy one either. Men like Jake should be applauded for the strength and courage it takes to reinvent their mindsets so radically.