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Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Program Hosts Speaker
Author Nancy Redd addressed students during Women’s History Month event
University News | March 7, 2024
In honor of Women’s History Month, VWU’s Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) program hosted keynote speaker and New York Times best-selling author Nancy Redd on March 7. Redd, a GLAAD-award nominated on-air host and NAACP Image Award-nominated writer, is a graduate of Harvard University and a former Miss Virginia. She has dedicated her multifaceted, entrepreneurial career to encouraging self-confidence and inclusive representation in all facets of mainstream media.
Redd, who has been called “the perfect combination of style and substance” by ESSENCE magazine, has published several children's books, hosts a podcast, and is also a health journalist and author of “THE REAL BODY MANUAL,” an all-gender photographic health and wellness book, due out in 2024. She also admits she has a penchant for game shows! She won $250,000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire while she was in college—donating $25,000 to her favorite charity, 4-H. She also got zonked on Let's Make a Deal!
The mother of two, can currently be seen as the host of, the streaming podcast she created, hosts, and produces for Madame Noire, which is going into weekly production for Season Three.
Dr. Jennifer Slivka, coordinator of the GWSS program and an associate professor of English at Virginia Wesleyan, introduced Redd prior to her keynote address in Blocker Hall. In her speech entitled, “YOU Can Make HERstory: How the Past and Your Present Shape Our Future," Redd encouraged students to show up authentically, on campus and in the world. She talked about her past and present adventures and how she learned from them.
“I’ve had 4,000 failures and 30 wins—the numbers aren’t important; it’s important that you keep pushing on,” Redd told students. “There’s no such thing as a failure or a mistake, it’s really a growth opportunity.”
She stressed the importance of relationships in achieving goals. She shared stories about some of the vital relationships she was able to forge early on; alliances that changed the trajectory of her career. “Relationships are so important for movement, especially your own movement. Because I was able to build relationships, I have had a lot more stability.”
Redd’s enthusiasm and passion for life were evident in her messages of courage, determination, tenacity, and individuality. “Everyone needs a thing. Think about what’s most important to you. Think about the thing you most want to do. Believe in yourself and keep going.”
She encouraged students to get involved in many things, but be ready to pivot when it seems necessary. “Don’t be afraid to separate. Give yourself some space to become the person you are. Sometimes it’s easier to carve your own path than to just follow others.”
At the conclusion of her remarks, Redd answered questions from the audience. A book signing for one of Redd’s children’s books, “Bedtime Bonnet,” followed her speech.