May S Farnsworth

May S Farnsworth is a Professor of Spanish, Latin American, and Bilingual Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she has been a faculty member since 2007. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Spanish American Literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a B.A. from The Evergreen State College. She is based in Smith Hall and teaches courses in bilingual education, gender studies, and Spanish language and literature.

• Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – Spanish American Literature
• M.A., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – Spanish American Literature
• B.A., The Evergreen State College – Olympia, Washington

Her research centers on feminism and social justice in Latin America and Spain, theatre and performance studies, and bilingual education. She is currently completing a book titled Feminist Rehearsals, which explores how performance culture intersected with women’s rights activism in Mexico and Argentina from 1900 to 1970. She is also actively involved in bilingual education advocacy through her work with Vamos Geneva 2030.

Her publications span edited volumes, journal articles, and book chapters, focusing on feminist theatre, women playwrights, and gender in Latin American literature. Her recent works reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach, combining literary analysis with cultural and social activism.

She has delivered invited lectures at institutions such as the Women's Rights Historic Park and Ohio University, and has developed digital teaching resources including the Galeria Hispana and Toys for Language Immersion Teaching (TILT). Her service includes leadership on the Geneva City Schools Board of Education and community-based language programs.

• Leader, Vamos Geneva 2030 Action Team (2020–present)
• Board of Education Member, Geneva City Schools (2016–2021)
• Language Consultant, Connect Geneva
• Children’s Library Volunteer Summer Spanish Teacher, Geneva Public Library (2009–present)

She has also led study abroad programs in Chile and Ecuador and supervised independent studies on bilingual education, demonstrating a deep commitment to experiential and community-engaged learning.