Joy Melody Woods, Master of Arts student in Schools, Culture, and Society with emphasis on Sociology of Education

What do you love most about being a woman?

Our ability to create. We literally can create life, obviously with some help. We can create ideas. I am not saying that men cannot create things; however, there is something magical when a woman does it. I love being able to walk into rooms and be underestimated and then shock the room with my ideas—whether they are academic or creative. And I think in the past few years, women have really started to band together to support each other and that is just beautiful. I do not think there is anything like being supported by a group of fellow women.

You’re very open about the fact that you struggle with major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder. How does this affect your personal and professional life?

This is such a loaded question, and when you first asked it I had to truly think. I think my anxiety and depression affected my life more when I didn’t have the diagnosis. If that makes sense. It was because I was acting certain ways and treating people certain ways and I really did not have any explanation of why. That really fractured some of my closest friendships and I am still working to repair those.

In regards to me being open, sometimes it has caused some riffs with my family. Not because they do not believe me and my experiences, but because my recollection of events that happened to me are completely different from theirs. And sometimes I find it hard to communicate with not just family but friends without being viewed as extremely sensitive.

And in terms of professionally, as a student it is tough sometimes because I do not want professors to think I am not capable of doing their work. So just finding that balance of being open and honest but not make excuses.

Have you had to deal with much sexism in your industry?

As a student and as Black Woman who has attended PWI’s (Predominately White Institution) for both undergraduate and graduate school, I have experienced sexism in ways that were not concrete. I mean that in the sense that I could never tell if I was being treated a certain way because I was Black or because I was a woman, or both.

A professor, who even wrote me a letter of recommendation during my undergraduate career, said that I wouldn’t get the internship that I was applying for because I was not qualified. (I thought: then why write me the letter?) I have also had a male professor at the graduate level tell me that I would not make a good graduate student because I have anxiety, but that was after he disclosed that he had anxiety in graduate school. So I think it’s been sexism in ways that are directly tied to being a Black woman—that intersectionality.

Do you belong to any organizations catered to women business owners?

Unfortunately, I do not. That has been my goal for 2018 though. Being a graduate student kind of limits my time, especially with me working and going to school. I am in some Facebook groups specifically for women, but it is not tailored for business owners. So if anyone reading this has some suggestions, let ya girl know.

Who or what inspires you most?

Another loaded question! I don’t want to be cliché and say Michelle Obama, because she really does!

However, I think my two older sisters truly inspire me. We have butted heads a lot growing up—I did the majority of the butting—but they truly are inspirational. My eldest sister has her PhD in Molecular Medicine (I think that’s what it is, or something super scientific and medical) and watching from afar her overcome obstacles that may have been in her way really set the tone for how I operate.

My middle sister is an M.D. and I even got to attend the same college as her for a year and that was an experience. But she is never afraid to call me on my mess, whatever it may be. Watching them set goals and follow through is almost a force of nature.

Being the youngest, there was quite a bit of pressure to live up to their standards but they always remained humble and helpful—even when I didn’t deserve it. And that’s the type of grace, persistence, and passion that I want to have and carry with me in my life.

Something about you that would surprise us:

I don’t know if this would be surprising but some people are shocked: I hate grits! Like the sight of them actually makes me gag. And it is weird because I am from the South and southerners love them some grits, whether it have salt or sugar or even cheese. I on the other hand, cannot stand grits. I think it is the texture. I am actually getting squeamish right now thinking about grits.

Advice for women entrepreneurs:

Do not let anyone, I literally mean anyone, tell you that your ideas are dumb or stupid or worthless. They are not. You are full of greatness and sometimes it may take a while to harness that greatness into a profitable idea; however, you must give yourself time. And during that time you must keep reminding yourself that you are smart, intelligent, and have worth.

Tell us about the conversation you will be hosting about what it’s like being a Black woman in leadership at a Big Ten University:

I am making history this month by interviewing the first Black Woman to have the role of Vice President of Student Life at the University of Iowa. Not only am I interviewing for my podcast, I am making it a live event on campus for students to attend.

She is in her first year at the university and everyone loves her. There has not been an event done like this by a student on my campus, so I am quite nervous but excited at the same time. I just had the idea, I asked her and she was thrilled.

Dr. Melissa Shivers is another woman who inspires me.

Learn more about Joy Melody Woods:

Without A Space is something that I have had in mind for quite some time. As a Black graduate student struggling with major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder, I am constantly finding that there really is not a space for me to talk about the problems I face daily.