Re: "Excelling in male fields better than whining," Jan. 30 letter.

After four years of hearing letters where people bash feminism and women's studies, I finally was compelled to write after the letter calling women like me "whiners" for being associated with the courses or the women's movement.

Women's studies courses have inspired me to help others rather than complain about the world. These courses taught me about problems like domestic and sexual violence, and I began to open my eyes to the issues that should be important to us all. I joined many others who counsel and support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I wouldn't call myself a whiner for supporting these men and women and taking a stand against abuse. In fact, one of the first things that shelters and centers teach their clients is how to empower themselves. Feminists want everyone to find happiness and success for themselves but want changes to happen so that all human beings have the chance to do so. It confuses me why anyone, especially women who are proud to "prove themselves" while attending a major university, would be so quick to judge the feminist movement. These women are speaking against the movement that gave them the privilege to do so. I think that most people just have a misconception of what feminism is really about. Maybe they should take some women's studies courses to find out.