In a groundbreaking step for transgender representation in Indian academia, Dr. N. Jency has become the first transgender woman in Tamil Nadu to earn a PhD and be appointed as assistant professor in the English Department at Loyola College, Chennai.
Her appointment, made based on merit through a competitive selection process, has been widely hailed as a milestone for inclusivity in education.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin praised Jency’s accomplishment in a public message, calling her “a beacon for several hundred striving to rise through education.”
Dr. Jency’s journey began in Tiruttani, a village in the Tiruvallur district, where she faced significant social stigma and barriers due to her identity.
Despite these challenges, she pursued higher education with determination, earning gold medals in both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Dr. Ambedkar College of Arts and Science before completing her PhD in English literature at Loyola College.
While pursuing her studies, Jency worked part-time as a tutor, radio announcer, and emcee to support herself, demonstrating remarkable independence and resilience.
Currently, she works on a contractual basis and advocates for permanent teaching positions for transgender individuals in government institutions.
Dr. P. Mary Vidya Porselvi, Head of Loyola’s English Department, said, "Jency’s academic brilliance and her positive influence on students.
Jency herself has emphasized that her achievement is not just personal but a victory for the entire transgender community.
“This is not my victory but one that belongs to my trans community,” she said in a statement. “To every trans person who’s been turned away or denied dignity, I say: don’t chase them away. Educate them.”
Her appointment is being celebrated as a turning point in the fight for gender inclusivity in Indian education.
The Logical Indian News noted that Jency’s story is not only about academic success but also about courage, dignity, and real change.
From the margins of society to the front of a classroom, Dr. N. Jency is now teaching more than English; she’s teaching the power of perseverance.
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