top of page

about

The Women Soaring Project (WSP) is the work of two best friends who endeavor to acknowledge and honor women in history and more importantly, women in general.

​

Despite living hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of miles apart, Jane and Jackie have remained close for more than two decades and have stayed connected through their professional careers in academia in sociology and art, respectively.​

​

This interactive art project was a unique opportunity to collaborate and merge their respective disciplines. Together, they are seeking to not only commemorate important women in history, but to also give others the opportunity to artistically express their appreciation for strong and influential women in their lives.

​

Each art exhibit focuses on a designated theme (e.g., women activists, women suffragists, etc.) and highlights noteworthy women in their field. It gives participants a chance to learn about the historical figures as well as the opportunity to contribute their own artwork about women whom they appreciate. The collected artworks of participants are compiled into an online gallery so that visitors can explore and learn.​

​

Conceptualized by Jane and designed by Jackie, the WSP logo incorporates the international symbol for women with wings to convey how women soar in both everyday and extraordinary ways. ​It is the hope of the Women Soaring Project that...

​

If you look, you will SEE.

If you see, you will KNOW.

If you know, you will APPRECIATE.

​​

WSPLogoNameBlack-01.png

FOUNDERS

Headshot - Jane Le Skaife square crop.jp

JANE LE SKAIFE

SOCIOLOGIST

 

Jane completed her Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of California, Davis in 2013 and taught at the University of Tampa prior to her current position at Sierra College. Her research focuses on international migration and race/ethnicity. She is currently working on a book manuscript on Vietnamese refugees in France and the United States.

profilepic.JPEG

JACKIE LO

CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

 

Jackie completed her M.F.A. in Painting at San Diego State University and currently teaches studio art at MiraCosta College and Southwestern College. Her work explores social and cultural themes including language and identity. 

​

www.jackiepaints.com

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Profile pic for Megan Seely CROPPED.jpg

MEGAN SEELY

SOCIOLOGIST

​

Megan is a Professor of Sociology and Social Justice Studies at Sierra College. She is author of Fight Like a Girl : How to be a fearless feminist (NYU Press).

Leah Cluff

LEAH CLUFF

PROFESSOR OF ART HISTORY

 

Leah Cluff is a professor of Art History at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California. She holds a M.A. in Art History from the University of New Mexico and a Ph.D. in Art History, Theory and Criticism from the University of California San Diego. Her academic research focuses on contemporary art made by artists of Native American and First Nations descent.

Lugris Head Shot CROPPED.jpg

JENNIFER LUGRIS

CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

 

Jennifer completed her M.F.A. at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a prolific artist and currently teaches at Sierra College. 

​

www.jenniferlugris.com

G_GrayAdams.jpg

GRACE GRAY-ADAMS

CONTEMPORARY ARTIST​

​

Grace is an artist, educator, feminist and activist. In 1965, she marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago. A few years later, she was part of a committee that started the first Women's Studies Program in the nation at San Diego State University, where she also received her M.F.A. in Sculpture. She has served as President of the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art in San Diego. Today, she continues to exhibit her work with the Feminist Image Group, while also teaching at MiraCosta College and Southwestern College.

JenVernonHeadShotCROPPEDAGAIN.jpg

JENIFER VERNON

PROFESSOR OF COMMUNIICATION STUDIES

​

Jen is a professor at Sierra College. She is author of a book of poetry, Rock Candy, West End press, awarded a “Tillie Olsen” from the Working-Class Studies Association. She earned a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of California San Diego, and an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Oregon.  

Lesley DoigHeadshot.jpg

LESLEY DOIG

PROFESSOR OF US AND WOMEN'S HISTORY

​

Lesley Doig is a professor of US and Women’s History at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California. She holds an M.A. in Early Modern European History from the University of California, Riverside and worked toward a Ph.D. in Early American and Women’s History at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She was an editorial assistant for the Papers of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony for three years. 

bottom of page