A Future in Medicine Shaped by Feminist Theory

Elizabeth Richardson, Trinity Communications

One of Lily Babcock’s most meaningful experiences at Duke came during her senior year capstone course in Gender, Sexuality, & Feminist Studies (GSF). Alongside the department’s four graduating majors, she helped produce a documentary tracing the program's history. The team spent months researching archives, developing interview questions and speaking with every former department chair.  

Headshot of Lily Babcock on a decorative background.
Lily Babcock hopes to carry the empathy and critical insight she developed through her studies in Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies into her future work as a physician. (Photo courtesy of Babcock)

“Being able to create and document the legacy of the place that is so meaningful to me was one of my proudest moments,” says Babcock. “We debuted the piece at the annual Feminist Theory Workshop, which is essentially Feminist Coachella.”  

The project was more than an academic assignment: it was a chance to document the legacy of a department that profoundly shaped her time at Duke.  

Reflecting on her journey, Babcock says she would tell her 17‑year‑old self never to feel ashamed of who she is or what she cares about. Before college, she was often labeled the “woke” friend, the one who brought politics or theory into every conversation. When she arrived at Duke, she felt pressure to frame herself differently, often emphasizing her pre‑med track while downplaying her major in GSF. 

At times, she even joked about her “crazy major” before others could, hoping to soften their judgment. Surrounded by peers pursuing traditional paths in business or medicine, she sometimes felt caught between her scientific coursework and her passion for feminist theory. Over time, though, she began to reflect on why her interests made others uncomfortable and why she felt she had to choose between her values and a successful career.  

“I refuse to apologize for being passionate about the injustices that shape our world. The same intensity that once made me self‑conscious now anchors my identity as a learner and future physician,” Babcock says. 

One lesson that has stayed with Babcock throughout her time at Duke is the importance of never compromising on one’s morals. Her commitment to justice and equity shapes both her academic work and her relationships. These values, she says, are inseparable from who she is and how she hopes to practice medicine in the future. 

"I refuse to apologize for being passionate about the injustices that shape our world. The same intensity that once made me self‑conscious now anchors my identity as a learner and future physician."

She credits the entire GSF department with having a profound impact on her academic life. The community fostered her curiosity and supported her growth in ways she hadn’t anticipated when she first arrived at Duke. She’s especially grateful to Jennifer Nash. At a time when the field faces growing challenges, Babcock said she admires Nash’s unwavering commitment and her role in ensuring that Duke’s Feminist Theory Workshop, one of the largest gatherings of its kind, continued to take place. 

After graduation, Babcock is heading to Atlanta, Georgia, to continue her education at Agnes Scott College in its post‑baccalaureate pre‑medical program.  

She hopes to carry the insights she gained from feminist theory into her future work as a physician, focusing on holistic and compassionate care.  

“For me, understanding and addressing systemic forces that shape people’s lives is essential to truly treating the body,” she says. She hopes to practice medicine with the same empathy, critical thinking and commitment to justice that have shaped her academic journey.