Hi all! My name is Laura Noteware, and I am a rising Senior (scary) at Duke University studying Biology on a Pre-Med track.  I am from a large suburb outside of Philadelphia where I grew up going to an all-girls school for 13 years.  I grew up steeped in a feminist environment where my 51 classmates and I all were taught to push boundaries and reject limitations and roles society intended to force onto us.  At Duke, I realized that the implications of society’s norms were much more widespread than I had ever been exposed to.

Given the very strict course requirements for the medical track, I haven’t had an opportunity to explore these narratives so far in my courses at Duke.  Thankfully, I get to come to New York this summer and unpack these issues with the most diverse and interesting group of women I have met this far at Duke.  On top of the great academic side of the program, I am also lucky enough to be working at Choices Women’s Medical Center this summer where I hope to learn about the intersectionality between women’s rights and how to best provide comprehensive women’s medical care.

I think that the most important lessons I learn this summer will come from unexpected experiences and conversations with unique individuals.  That being said, one of my goals for the summer is to embrace more change and to lean into discomfort.  I grew up in a very homogenous area with people who looked, and thought, and acted like me.  However, these aren’t the people who will help me grow and develop my own thoughts and perspectives.

So, this summer I am excited to expand and engage in a meaningful, thoughtful, and incredible summer experience.  I can’t wait to see what New York has in store for me!