“Many involved in sex work are forced into it because of economic situations, and while it’s sometimes unrealistic for them to do something else, we try to make conditions as humane as possible,” she said.
Seidman, who is a social studies concentrator, said she plans to attend medical school in the future and eventually work in a small community clinic. But she said that in the meantime she is looking for a new experience.
“I’m really excited to go somewhere completely new to me, to put me completely outside my comfort zone,” Seidman said.
For Boyle and Seidman, who celebrated their 21st birthday last Saturday, the fellowship came as a welcome birthday surprise.
“It’s the best gift I could ever imagine,” said Seidman. “The fellowship is my number-one plan after graduation.”
—Staff writer Yingzhen Zhang can be reached at zhang9@fas.harvard.edu.