Feature Stories 2026: Jessica Pabón '01: Inspired by activism

Since graduating from UMass Dartmouth as a first-gen student, Jessica Pabón '01 has made a name for herself in the field of feminist research and resistance. From earning her BFA at UMD to getting her PhD at NYU, being appointed President of the National Women's Studies Association, and publishing an anthology on Puerto Rican feminisms, Pabón created a career trajectory out of passion and purpose.

Finding purpose at CWGS

Like many students entering their first year, Pabón wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted her future to look like when she arrived at UMass Dartmouth. "I was rudderless. I chose a bachelor of fine arts degree, but was doing the motions to get through— until I took a women’s literature class," she said.

"The professor of that class took us to the Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality (CWGS). Once I entered the center, I basically lived there. That was the beginning of my relationship with social justice work under the rubric of feminism."

"I did a work study at CWGS with Director Juli Parker, began advocating, and became a voice on campus. I led Take Back the Night marches, curated art shows, and served as President of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance. Juli was always behind me and encouraging me," said Pabón.

"Due to those experiences, my art became so much more meaningful because I suddenly had content to go with the artmaking. I was bringing concept to form, and that really shifted everything for me."

To continue exploring that niche, Pabón added the women's and gender studies (WGS) minor to her sculpture program.

Establishing a professional trajectory

"My time as an undergrad at UMass Dartmouth helped me realize that I was good at bringing folks together, talking to people, and making something out of an idea. I created protests, art exhibits, sculptures, performances, organizations, and petitions. I came into myself as a doer and a leader because of my relationship to CWGS and my WGS minor."

"I went on to earn a master's in women's studies, then a PhD in performance studies. That trajectory seems odd until you think about what pulls everything together. It’s creativity, critique, and community, which are the things that matter to me," she said.

Pabón worked as a WGS professor at the State University of New York at New Paltz for a decade, and now serves as president of the National Women's Studies Association (NWSA).

President of the National Women’s Studies Association

As president of NWSA, Pabón puts forth initiatives, organizes conferences, and fosters a network of feminist scholarship and activism.

"Right now, NWSA is focusing on member engagement and making sure that our members know we’re here for them. If their departments are being downsized or eradicated, we want them to know they're not alone."

Current projects

Pabón's latest project is her anthology of Puerto Rican feminisms featuring artists, activists, academics, elders, and emerging thinkers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The anthology is titled Porque Estamos Aquí: Puerto Rican Feminisms Against Empire, and she is currently on book tour.

You can find more information on Pabón and her projects on her website.

"I came into myself as a doer and a leader because of my relationship to CWGS and my WGS minor."