Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons^™

Gender And Gravestone Epitaphs: A Warren County Cemetery, Mariah S. Callis Goodwin

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The socio-cultural factors that influence us in life are present in what is left behind. My thesis project investigates evidence of socio-cultural status on gravestones. I systematically recorded data from all the grave markers at the Hays Cemetery in Warren County, Kentucky. Data collected and considered included epitaphs, art forms, and monument marker style. Each stone was also photographed as I recorded the data. My starting hypothesis was that the markers would, to a degree, convey information about the gender and possibly the socio-economic status of the individuals that the stones represent. The paper will describe to what degree and …