Getting To Know Kelsey

1) Hello all, I am Kelsey Cooke. I am a junior here at Shepherd University. I study History with a concentration in Public History and Historic Preservation. I am a Gender and Women Studies minor. I live in Martinsburg, WV with my boyfriend Thomas. In my free time I enjoy listening to music, hiking, and watching movies. My dream is to work for the National Park Service. I am often asked what park I would like to work at with which I respond simple, "Whoever will hire me!" It is an extremely competitive process but the reward is immersing myself in history and getting to spend time outdoors. One day I hope to work at as many as possible so I can travel around the country. I consider myself a people person, but I find it much easier to converse with strangers. I guess I have one of those faces because I get random people telling my their life stories everywhere from the hiking trail to the grocery store.
2) I am taking this class because I am devoted to telling the story of women. As a young historian and interpreter, it is my goal to create for the public an inclusive story of our past. Too often is history written and told by the winners, which is usually white men of wealth. However, it is not as simple as add women and stir! Our history is our strength. A greater understanding of ourselves will lead to increased confidence in self-image and hopefully the respect of our male counterparts. I think throughout time we have used humor to escape from the problems of our past. We approach pleasure to avoid pain. The pursuit of incorporating humor into gender suggests that the injustice is named but sets out to introduce it in a manner we can all recognize, by laughter. ** ALSO, I can't tell you how many times I edited this post to make the font match, but here we are. 
3) What makes me laugh is what usually makes people roll their eyes. That obviously dry humor that makes crickets chirp, makes me burst out uncontrollably. From dogs in sweaters/costumes to other peoples ridiculous laughs, I struggle to contain myself when the moment strikes. Especially, when these memories of silly moments cross my mind I can't help but giggle to myself. Most recently the funniest thing that happened to me is a crazy dance party I had with my boyfriend while we expended our last bit of energy before bed. We were cracking up while battling our funkiest moves. Some of my favorite funny people are John Mulaney, Bill Hader, Ilana Glazer, Tiffany Haddish, Maria Bamford, and Fred Armisen. I enjoy these people for being effortlessly themselves. They are all unique in their own ways, but all use humor to discuss modern topics.

"Don't touch me."

**I have had these saved on my phone for months and look at them when I need a laugh. I hope they make you giggle too.