in case you haven’t noticed, I usually have a lot to say…

Some of the most notable researchers and scholars of cheerleading have come together in The Cheer Reader: Inside an American Institution, an anthology dedicated entirely to exploring the nuances and complexities of cheerleading. Gender, race, sexuality, monopolistic regimes, joy, and hatred: we cover it all. Editor Dr. Natalie Adams offered me the opportunity to contribute to the anthology in December 2024, and I submitted my chapter, “For the Love of the Sport: An Insider’s View,” in January 2025. After nearly two years of anticipation, the book was officially released on October 6, 2026!

To order your copy, click here!

Winner of the Elizabeth Meese Memorial Award in Research on Women.

Cheerleading, shaped by the gender binary and social norms, has historically been feminized, reinforcing stereotypes that associate it with beauty and entertainment rather than athleticism. In this essay, I argue that cheerleading’s historical ties to femininity and society’s tendency to undervalue female-dominated activities have prevented it from being recognized as a legitimate sport. I explore some of the ways this lack of respect harms athletes and what we should be doing about it.

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In this paper, I analyze how advertising perpetuates rape culture, not only through overt sexualization but also through deceptive "feminist" branding strategies. I critique the wildly popular Dove Real Beauty campaign, showing how it reinforces patriarchal ideals under the guise of empowerment. Ultimately, I argue that true social change cannot come from corporate marketing but must stem from collective action and critical awareness.

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The claim that “sisterhood is global” has faced endless critique since its first imaginings among the notably white American second-wave feminist activists of the 1970s. In this essay, I examine the concept of global sisterhood, acknowledging its historical exclusion of marginalized voices and its entanglement with colonial and patriarchal structures. I argue for reimagining sisterhood through an intersectional and transnational lens, emphasizing the need for reciprocal dialogue and genuine understanding among women to build solidarity across diverse experiences and identities.

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Kate Chopin’s The Awakening is a novel that women everywhere can relate to, regardless of age, race, or class because, despite what divides us, we are all searching for the fundamental right to self-ownership. In this essay, I explore the theme of self-ownership in The Awakening and how Edna Pontellier’s journey to self-actualization resonates with readers today.

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In this essay, I reflect on Sojourner Truth’s life and legacy, highlighting how her powerful advocacy was misrepresented through Frances Dana Gage’s altered version of her 1851 speech. I emphasize the importance of honoring Truth’s true voice and story, urging a deeper engagement with history to fully appreciate her impact.

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In this essay, I explore how Judith Sargent Murray’s On the Equality of the Sexes and Abigail Adams’s Remember the Ladies both advocate for women’s equality, despite their differing audiences and approaches. While Murray addresses the public with humor and sharp critique, Adams writes privately to her husband, urging him to consider women in the creation of the nation, and both pieces remain deeply relevant to the struggles of modern women.

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