Sabina Dhillon cultivated her early interest in feminism through UC Berkeley’s Gender and Women’s Studies Department.
Dhillon, who graduated in June with a bachelor’s degree in Gender and Women’s Studies (GWS) and Sociology, and was the GWS commencement speaker, said that she fell in love with the topic of gender and power at a young age — whether that was seeing posts on social media about social justice or reading feminist literature. Dhillon was drawn to understand her lived experience and position in the world.
GWS equipped Dhillon with the analytical tools to think critically and remain politically engaged, especially in today’s climate. Now, she plans to pursue a career in law to protect women’s rights.
Dhillon spoke to Berkeley Social Sciences about her experience and achievements at UC Berkeley along with her plans for the future. This interview has been edited for clarity.
What inspired you to pursue a GWS degree?
Sabina Dhillon: I’ve been drawn to feminism from a young age. I was around 11 or 12 when I was nicknamed “the feminist” at my middle school — a label often used mockingly by my peers, but one I carried with pride. Even then, I had a deep sense that I wanted to immerse myself in work, literature and theory that examined gender and power. GWS felt like a natural path — not just an academic interest, but a lived experience I wanted to better understand, articulate and contribute to.
I was always drawn to GWS, both intentionally and subconsciously throughout my entire life. I’ve always been drawn to the field of feminist studies, even as I would scroll through my social media as a kid and teenager, I always found myself aligning with posts about social justice, feminism — really anything that required moral urgency. I was inspired by it, enraged at it at times, and placed those emotions into wanting to learn more. I wanted to be able to articulate what I’ve seen, read and experienced through a critical lens. I knew I wanted to actively contribute to the study by becoming a student under the department.
What have been your favorite GWS experiences?
Sabina Dhillon: One of my favorite experiences was being a part of Gender and Women’s Studies Professor Bacchetta’s senior seminar class during the Fall of 2025. The course dove into the politics of gender and sexuality in relation to the right-wing movement in the U.S. This course felt especially timely as it coincided with the presidential election. This course made me fall back in love with learning as the theories we were critically engaging with, the news stories we would watch as a class and reading political discourse, would play out in front of us as the election cycle occurred.
Another amazing experience I had the pleasure of having was building relationships with the faculty and students. The GWS Department is full of the most empathetic, intelligent and genuinely passionate people I have ever met on campus. I hold our department in such high regard and am so happy to have had so many meaningful conversations with both staff and professors alike. My peers within the department were so uplifting, in both a personal sense as well as academic. Everyone was always so gracious and genuinely enthusiastic about each other’s journeys.
What kind of things have you learned?
Sabina Dhillon: GWS at Berkeley is deeply intersectional. Whatever assumptions people may have about the major are quickly overturned by the richness and depth of what we study. Some of the things I have learned about through this department are the commodification of gender under capitalism, the global landscape of reproductive rights and the ongoing colonial impacts. These topics intersect with patriarchy and are shaped by geography, culture and time. I’ve also learned about the complexities of personhood and identity in relation to gender and sexuality. All of this has trained me to think critically, move thoughtfully, and remain politically and socially engaged, especially in today’s climate.
Can you tell us about your commencement speech and its impact?
Sabina Dhillon: I was honored to be selected as the student speaker for our department’s commencement. In my speech, I reflected on how GWS shaped me, both academically and personally, and spoke about the collective impact the graduating GWS class will carry forward into the world.
Delivering that speech was incredibly meaningful. My college journey came with many challenges, and there were moments when I wasn’t sure I’d make it to graduation. Speaking at commencement gave me the space to honor that struggle, to celebrate resilience and to symbolically close one chapter as I step into the next. It was a moment of deep pride and gratitude as we all celebrated together.
How will your degree benefit your future and career?
Sabina Dhillon: My GWS degree has not only given me the analytical tools but the emotional intelligence I need to approach the world, as well as my future career. I plan to pursue a career in law, specifically in areas that centers and protects women’s rights. This major has shaped the way I think, communicate and lead. It has made me more intentional not just in my academic and professional work, but in how I exist in community with others.
