speaking out

today i got to do something i've never done before...speak in front of a bunch of people. i was asked a few weeks ago by my medical sociology professor if i would be in his panel at the annual tennessee social sciences symposium. i don't think i would have ever done it if someone i respect as much as dr. hinote hadn't asked me. it was interesting and nerve wracking. the panel i sat on was entitled "sociocultural dynamics in doctor-patient communication." i spoke about gender and how it effects the way health care is delivered. although it wasn't as big of a room as i was expecting (probably a good thing), every seat was filled. i know that most of the people there only came to get extra credit, but most seemed pretty interested. we actually had some questions asked at the end, which proved that some people were diggin' what we were saying. i even had one guy come talk to me afterwards to say that he really agreed with and was inspired by what i had said...WHAT?! pretty cool. what a neat thing it was to be able to speak about something that you really feel passionate about...and get applauded for it.