Spring Break is in sight! What are you up to this coming week? Punta Cana? Miami? Cancun? Staying inside and reading The Laughing Medusa? Whatever it is, we from the Editorial Council hope you have an amazing time and maybe even find some time to pick up a pen, paintbrush, or camera and create some killer work to submit for our rapidly approaching March 26th deadline. While we will be taking a short break next week in posting online content, we still have some reading material for you over the next few days to hold you over. First, the latest installment in our Meet the Council series!

To recap, our magazine is edited, designed, published, and promoted by a small group of BC’s undergraduate women each year, and we count ourselves lucky to attract some of the smartest and savviest snake-ladies that Boston College has to offer. Putting together a full publication each semester is a labor of love, and this year we’re turning the spotlight to the group of 13 awesome women who make it possible. Check back over the next few weeks to meet the full council, head here if you missed getting to know Ji-Won last week, and read on right now to meet the incredible Claire Kramer!

Fun fact: Claire is the longest-standing member of our Editorial Council, having been on the Medusa since 2014! Now a senior, Claire is finishing out an Applied Psychology and Human Development major with minors in Environmental Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. She is also a part of Bystander Intervention and Class Council, and has written some striking poetry that you can find in the pages of our most recent zine or full magazine. To top it all off, Claire is the second of our two photo experts—many of the shots you’ll find here on the site are her doing! Here’s some more info on Claire:

Favorite literary quote?

One of the stories that has come to shape my understanding of the world is the tale of “Skywoman Falling,” the indigenous Creation story in Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In the story, Skywoman falls to earth, and with the help of the animal kingdom and the shell of a turtle, begins to dance and create the world (in a nutshell). I would definitely recommend reading the story for the full impact of how ecology, fertility, femininity, and animal life are all connected. This story speaks to me on a personal level as a feminist, vegetarian, and dancer!

Personal female icon?

Although I have a wide range of female icons, I would say that my constant rock has always been my mom. She has taught me in her own way how to put myself, my body, and my choices first, and for those lessons I will forever be grateful. 

Where can you find her outside of the Medusa?

Giving Bystander Presentations, working with Class Council, sitting in Hillside (or DD…), and probably talking about how much she loves Lynch. Also find her on Instagram!