Shay Dawson, the 2022-2024 NWHM U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Predoctoral Fellow in Gender Studies, is a writer, researcher and museum education professional. Shay earned her graduate degree in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University with a focus on Museum Education and Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion. Professionally, she is interested in the ways museums & cultural heritage sites can facilitate community & foster empathy, as well as the creation of robust, accessible programs & resources to support museums in serving those communities.

These passions are further supported by her undergraduate endeavors, as Shay holds a B.A. in African American & African Diaspora studies and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality studies from American University. A few areas of focus Shay enjoys researching are Black and queer narratives, Black womanhood and spirituality, and Black queer identity in American Slavery.