2026 CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Justice is a project, a struggle, and a horizon that continues to shift. For over fifty years, WGS South has been a vital gathering space for sharing knowledge, tools, and skills to advance our collective feminist vision. As we navigate the complexities of the present moment, we honor our shared histories and draw on them to plot a path forward.

We are excited to announce a lineup of distinguished guest speakers who are leaders in feminist scholarship and activism. Their insights will enrich our discussions and inspire us to envision a future rooted in justice and community. D. Andrea Baldwin joins us as our opening keynote speaker on Thursday, March 19th. Our Plenary speaker Dr. Menah Pratt joins us on Friday March 20th to help us envision feminist futures in the classroom and beyond.

Preliminary Schedule

PARKING/NAVIGATING THE CONFERENCE SITE

Parking Map
The purple star indicates the location for Benson University Center. Guests may park in either visitor parking (pink) or the general lots (orange). Transportation and parking have been notified of the symposium. Lots Q & S are probably the easiest to access in relation to Benson.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12R6aXPW6UMwsEaTMu2oV4_H5_1vEMVnu/view

Conference Site
When you enter Benson, the elevator is immediately to the left (right next to Pugh Auditorium). That is the only elevator in the building. Benson is located on the fourth floor. The spiral staircase in the middle will also bring you to the fourth floor. All presenters are reminded to bring their laptops and any necessary chargers and adapters with them to the conference site.

LOCAL EATERIES & ATTRACTIONS

For local eateries and site-seeing, please visit https://newstudents.wfu.edu/parents-and-families/general-advice/recommendations/

For on-campus dining options, please visit https://dining.wfu.edu/home/dining-locations/

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS & TRAVEL

Courtyard by Marriott
A limited number of rooms with special rates are available; book by February 26 to secure the reduced rate using this link. We encourage you to book your room as soon as possible as rooms will fill fast!
**The reserved rooms at this hotel have sold out, so please consider the options below to see if they’re suitable for your needs:

The Best Western Plus University
https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-winston-salem/best-western-plus-university-inn/propertyCode.34181.html

DoubleTree by Hilton Winston Salem
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/intwudt-doubletree-winston-salem-university/‍ ‍

For additional travel information to Wake Forest University and the town of Winston-Salem, please visit https://about.wfu.edu/visiting/

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Online registration for the 2026 WGS South Symposium closes March 13th, but you may register at the conference. Presenters are required to be WGS South members as well as required to register for the conference and pay the conference-registration fee.

WGS South Student Travel Grants are applied for and awarded on an individual basis. Each applicant should fill out an apply using their own information and distinct response to the prompt. The grant is not awarded on a group basis, but for individual applicants.

Eventbrite link: https://WGSSouth2026.eventbrite.com

Hosted by the Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies Department at Wake Forest University, the conference committee has worked hard and intentionally to bring together a timely conference, providing space for intellectual and community grounding. We are excited to announce a lineup of distinguished guest speakers who are leaders in feminist scholarship and activism. Their insights will enrich our discussions and inspire us to envision a future rooted in justice and community.

Thank you to our event co-sponsors:

LGBTQ+ Center at Wake Forest University
Program in African American Studies at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University Office of Wellbeing
Wake Forest University School of Divinity
Women’s Center at Wake Forest University