Professor Receives Research Award to Study African
American Women, Power and Poverty

By Jill Yesko, University Relations

Contact (336) 334-3890

Posted:6-11-07

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Dr. Lisa Levenstein, an assistant professor of history, has received a $30,000 postdoctoral research grant from the American Association of University Women to write the book “A Movement Without Marches: African American Women, Public Institutions, and Poverty in Postwar Philadelphia.”

Levenstein, who teaches courses focusing on the role of women in American history, will take a leave of absence during the 2007-08 year to work on the project.

The book documents the movement of African American women into institutions such as welfare, the courts, public schools, public housing and public hospitals. It also traces the public backlash against African American women enrolled in welfare and other government programs.

Levenstein conducted oral histories of African American women who lived in Philadelphia from 1945 to 1965. She also examined archival materials to understand how women used state institutions to better their lives, and to see how the institutions responded to the needs of women.

“My book shows the capacity of African American women who have been historically scapegoated by society,” said Levenstein. “They developed astute ways of navigating institutions and forced the state to respond to their needs.”

Levenstein observed that getting a job is usually considered the primary solution to poverty, an alternative that doesn’t take in account the unique needs of women and children. “When thinking of poverty, especially in light of women and children, we need to think about formulating policy that combines employment with a network of services such as health care, child care and other social programs,” she said.

The American Association of University Women and the AAUW Foundation work to advance equality for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. The AAUW awarded 15 postdoctoral fellowships for the 2007-08 academic year. ###

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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