Share Your Story

The Purple Collar Project invites you to share your authentic experiences as a woman scholar from a working-class background. We believe in the power of storytelling to create connection, validate experiences, and challenge the narratives that seek to erase our histories.

What We're Looking For

We want to hear your story—however you choose to tell it. Your narrative might explore:

Your journey from working-class roots to academia
Moments of rage, frustration, or revelation in your scholarly path
The daily realities of navigating academic spaces that weren't designed for people like us
Small acts of resistance or "subtle feminism" in your professional life
The tension between gratitude and anger in your academic experience
How your background shapes your teaching, research, or service
The challenge of straddling different worlds and class identities

Submission Guidelines

Word Limit: Maximum 1,500 words
Format: Written narrative (we may expand to other formats in the future)
Tone: Your authentic voice—whether that's angry, contemplative, humorous, or all of the above
Anonymity: All submissions will be published anonymously to protect contributors
Privacy Note: Providing an email is entirely optional. If you choose not to provide contact information, your submission will remain completely anonymous, but you won't receive notification about publication status.

What to Include

Trigger warnings where you feel they are appropriate and necessary
Personal reflections and experiences
Emotions, insights, and observations
General descriptions of academic experiences or institutional dynamics

What to Avoid

No identifying information about yourself, colleagues, students, or institutions (names, specific locations, workplace details, etc.)
No graphic descriptions of violence, self-harm, or illegal activities
No hate speech, harassment, or discriminatory language
Focus on personal experiences rather than attacking or calling out specific individuals

Review Process

We review submissions on a rolling basis and carefully consider each story for publication. Please note that submission does not guarantee publication. We select stories that align with our mission, contribute meaningfully to the conversation, and maintain the safety and integrity of our community.

If you provided an email: You can expect to hear back within 2-3 weeks about the status of your submission. If you submitted anonymously: Check our website regularly for new published stories to see if yours was selected.

Our Commitment to You

Confidentiality: We will not share your identity or contact information
Respect: Your story will be treated with care and dignity
Community: Your narrative becomes part of a larger conversation about class, gender, and academia
No judgment: We welcome imperfect, complicated, and messy stories—they reflect the reality of our experiences

How Your Story Helps

By sharing your narrative, you:

Validate others who see themselves in your experiences
Challenge the myth of meritocracy and individual resilience
Create space for authentic conversations about class in academia
Contribute to a growing movement of women scholars refusing to be silent

Questions?

If you have questions about the submission process or guidelines, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you in sharing your story safely and authentically.

Remember: Your story matters. Your voice deserves to be heard. Your experiences are valid, and you are not alone in navigating the complex terrain of being a working-class woman in academia. Share your story. Join the conversation. Help us build community.

the purple collar project