Kamazhay Bermagambetova

Driven Fulbright Scholar from Kazakhstan, currently advancing expertise in Women’s Studies with an MA at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Aspiring to deepen involvement in the International Women's Rights arena, seek to join the Summer 2024 Internship, driven by commitment to enhancing global understanding and advocacy for women's rights. The background as a Civil Rights Activist and a decolonial feminist is complemented by a rich experience in international communication, project coordination, and community building, primarily through my role in the American Corners Kazakhstan Network. Additionally, my proficiency in digital content creation and a passionate involvement in initiatives like the "It’s Okay" project underscore my dedication to promoting women's rights and education. Recently recognized with the "Elizabeth Meese Award for Research on Women," I aim to contribute my unique perspective and skills to your team, eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate and learn within your esteemed organization.

• Certificate of participation in the work of the methodological seminar on the implementation of the program "Rukhani Zhangyru", Kostanay, 03/03/2018
• Certificate on participation in the training to improve the skills and competence of employees of youth resource centers in the "School of Youth Policy of Kostanay Region", Kostanay, 05/2018
• Certificate of participation in the republican youth forum "TILI BIRDIN - TILEGI BIR" in the section "Jastardyn zamanayi tsyfrlyq technologiialardy damytydagy roli", Kostanay, 11/2018
• Certificate of participation in the training "SOFT SKILLS" with the support of the US Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kostanay, 03/12/2019
• Certificate of completion of the self-defense school for women "FUNDAMENTAL LEARNINGS OF SELF - DEFENSE FOR WOMEN", 04/14/2019
• Certificate of participation in the training for trainers of election observers of the SAILAU2020 project, 01/2020
• Certificate of participation in the winter school "Gender School", 02/2021
• Certificate of completion of the VT 100 training for directors of the American Spaces of Central Asia, 08/2021
• Certificate of completion of the training "Arkady Zucker School of Thinking", 12/2021
• Certificate of completion in the "Violet Yurt" trainings for Women in Politics, Turkestan, 05/2023
• Certificate of successful completion of the Fulbright Pre-Academic Program, Philadelphia, 08/2023
• Participation in National Women's Studies Association Annual Conference, Baltimore, 10/2023
• Elizabeth Meese Award for Research on Women" from The Department of Gender and Race Studies at the University of Alabama with the paper titled “Neoliberalism and Feminism: A Critical Analysis”, 03/2024

• Bachelor of Social Studies, Regional Studies, English, history, political science
• Master of Humanities, History
• MA in Women’s Studies

• The history of the formation of the ethno-demographic situation in the United States, Thesis, 06/2018
• Ethno-demographic situation in Kazakhstan in the 20s - 40s of the XX century, Dissertation, 06/2020
• “Neoliberalism and Feminism: A Critical Analysis,” 03/2024 - Awarded

• Independent Observer at Presidential Elections, 06/2019, nowadays
• Social Activist, 06/2019, nowadays
• Organizer of Media Literacy Festival "MediaLitFest", 07/2019, nowadays
• TEDx Women Local Coordinator, 10/2019, 01/2020, Organizing online translation in Kostanay
• Organizer of Trainings for Independent Observers of Parliamentary Elections, 12/2020, nowadays
• Organizer of Media Literacy Marathon for Students of Kostanay Region, 03/2021, 03/2021
• Project Coordinator of Online Media Literacy Festival, 03/2021, 06/2021, For Kostanay, North Kazakhstan and Aktobe regions
• Organizer of Soft Skills Marathon, 05/2021, 06/2021, Public speaking, writing a motivational letter to US universities
• Organizer of a Series of Lectures on Sexuality Education for Teenagers and Parents, 05/2021, 06/2021
• Organizer of a Series of Lectures on Sexuality Education for Teenagers and Parents, 11/2022, 12/2022
• Project Coordinator of Online House of Media Literacy, 03/2022, 06/2022, For residents of the Kostanay region
• Volunteer of Women Rights Meeting in Almaty, 03/08/2023
• Speaker on Women Rights March and Meeting, 04/08/2023
• The University of Alabama Graduate School Ambassador, 09/2023, 12/2023
• The University of Alabama Graduate School Influencer, 01/2024, nowadays
• Speaker on International Women’s Day by Women and Gender Resource Center of The University of Alabama, 03/05/2024

• Attracted over $40 000 investments for events and remodeling of the space.
• Trained the library specialists about "Cyber security", "How to work with ZOOM", "How include Canva for presentations".
• Built friendly partnership relations between the U.S. Embassy in KZ and L.Tolstoy Kostanay Regional Universal Scientific Library.
• Build mutual understanding between Kazakhstan and U.S. Culture
• Taught more than 200 kazakhstani people with sex-education
• Promoted The University of Alabama Graduate School by one Reels as Influencer and attracted another thousands dollars to the Graduate School
• Supervised Volunteer team of [10] members and created Nationwide Debate Tournament

My desire to enhance my experience within the International Women's Rights Field, forge meaningful connections, and develop a network within the community. I hold a particular interest in Inter- Transnational Non-governmental Organizations and Non-Profit Organizations dedicated to the defense and advocacy of women's rights. As a citizen of Kazakhstan and a Civil Rights Activist with a decolonial feminist viewpoint, I bring a unique perspective and extensive experience to the table. Femicide in Kazakhstan is increasing the last ten years and my goal is to bring awareness among people of my country about justice and women and gender rights.

Over the past five years, I have served as a Project Coordinator and member of the American Corners Kazakhstan Network, focusing on International Communication and fostering mutual understanding between Kazakhstan and U.S. cultures through various projects and programs. My role involved community building across diverse groups and spearheading an NGO, where I acquired hands-on experience in event planning, SWOT analysis, and storytelling. Furthermore, I have cultivated skills in digital content creation, utilizing tools such as Canva and Adobe for social media like Instagram and Facebook.

"It’s Okay" project, which promotes sex education for teens and their parents. I have actively participated in Women's Rights Meetings in Almaty and delivered speeches at significant events, such as the First March and Meeting for Women's Rights in Astana in 2023.

Since joining The University of Alabama, I have been appointed as a Graduate School Ambassador and, as of January 2024, a Graduate School Media Influencer. Most recently, on March 23, I was honored with the "Elizabeth Meese Award for Research on Women" at the Annual Paper Competition hosted by The Department of Gender and Race Studies. My winning paper, “Neoliberalism and Feminism: A Critical Analysis,” examines the role of individualism in contemporary society and its impact on the Feminist Movement, proposing strategies to foster global solidarity among women.

As a citizen of Kazakhstan and a Civil Rights Activist with a decolonial feminist viewpoint, I bring a unique perspective and extensive experience to the table. I participated as a Speaker on the International Women's Day Panel organized by Women and Gender Resource Center of The University of Alabama.