Join the University Libraries and doctoral candidate Michele ‘Scout’ Johnson at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in the Special Collections Reading Room as she presents “Mothers of Intention: The Road to a Dissertation Lies through Special Collections.”
Johnson’s presentation is based on her dissertation, “Mothers of Intention: The Intersection of Gender, Violence and Racism in the Klan and Massive Resistance Movement, 1954-1968.” Drawing primarily on materials from the Orval Eugene Faubus Papers, and also on the Citizens’ Council collection, Johnson examines the history of women using their position as mothers as motivation for both racism and activism.
“Although I did not think that I was writing my dissertation on an Arkansas topic, the information I have found in Special Collections has added a depth that I otherwise would not have imagined, and made my dissertation a more complete accounting of how gender and racism intersected during the time period of my study,” said Johnson, who is in the history program of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
The Graduate Student Speaker Series was launched last semester by the University Libraries and Graduate School and International Education. The next speaker, Robyn Spears, will present “Arkansas Aprons: Women’s Diaries and Food in the 19th Century” at 4 p.m. April 4 in the Special Collections Reading Room.
“Ms. Johnson’s research is a strong reminder of the important roles archives play in providing a neutral space to examine and analyze controversial aspects of our history,” said Lori Birrell, head of Special Collections.
Graduate students interested in being part of the speaker series are encouraged to contact Birrell at lbirrell@uark.edu or 479-575-8443.