GETTING TO KNOW: DR. JENNIFER VENABLE

by angie Lagrotteria

Hey y’all! We are excited to introduce everyone to Dr. Jennifer Venable, Instructional Assistant Professor of Gender Studies here at the Sarah Isom Center. Dr. Venable joined the Isom Center at the beginning of the second fall term in 2022. I had a chance to ask Dr. Venable some questions to get to know her better, and I want to share her bright personality with everyone.

What is an influential tv series or movie for you?

Growing up, I was obsessed with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. I didn’t really think about why the show and Buffy were so important to me when I was little, but as an adult, I know it was because it was so rare to see a female character portrayed as the hero or as strong in general. So maybe loving Buffy has something to do with my interest in feminism and the empowerment of women and other marginalized groups.

I know you have a dog – tell us about her!

I am a dog mama, and my pup is everything to me. Her name is Myla Meaux; she’s a small mixed breed pup but has such long legs! She has a really funny sense of humor and will do weird little gestures or movements when she’s feeling goofy. We take her on a couple walks every day, and she gets tons of belly rubs and cuddles. She is my best friend, and I like to think that she is very passionate about social justice issues and that she is a little feminist pup!

Who is your favorite feminist theorist?

Audre Lorde. When I first read her work, not only did she make such complex issues and ideas so accessible to me, but her work also gave me the language for a lot of issues I didn’t really know how to talk about. I always assign her work in my classes, especially readings like “Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference,” and “The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism” because my students always connect to these pieces in different ways.

Tell us about living in Louisiana!

I am from a very big family, and I missed them so much when I moved away, so that is my favorite thing about being back in Louisiana. Louisiana has the best food ever; I don’t feel like people can say otherwise! Haha! And my partner and I love cooking vegan Cajun versions of traditional dishes we grew up eating, and then sharing that with others. I love being around Louisiana culture, which of course includes the food, but also the music, and festivals, language, and ways of being that are different down here. There is a particular openness that I love and gravitate towards in a lot of people who are from Louisiana. It is this kind of way that many folks live authentically---they are vulnerable, and love to have fun and share their time with others---that I really cherish living in my home state.

Thank you, Dr. Venable. I’m so glad we are colleagues and friends!