History Commons^™

A Journey To The Midwest For Migrant Farmwork: Women's Testimonies Examining Their Lived Experiences Using Autoethnography And Plática Research Methodologies, Yesenia G. Alcalá

Theses & Dissertations

A JOURNEY TO THE MIDWEST FOR MIGRANT FARMWORK: WOMEN’S TESTIMONIES EXAMINING THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES USING AUTOETHNOGRAPHY AND PLÁTICA

RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

Yesenia Garza Alcalá, Master of Business Administration

University of the Incarnate Word 2026

The purpose of my research was to share the stories of five women who experienced a yearly migratory routine from Del Rio, Texas, to work in farms and factories in the Midwest, and how that annual journey shaped and educated us. The women are four of my older sisters and me, all of whom traveled and worked in the Princeville, Illinois, migrant camp, where we experienced the …

Silk And Authority: The Political Meaning Of Elite Women's Fashion In Europe, Kaylee S. Rupasinghe

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Fashion for women has not always been about personal style and fashion trends, but women's fashion among the elite has served in ways to express a woman's identity, authority, and wealth to the public. By analyzing Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, and Victoria, noticeable differences and outcomes occur based on what they wore, how they wore their clothing, and the self-portraits they released to the public. This analysis suggests that elite women in European history went beyond fashion trends with their clothing choices and shaped a society with the clothing they wore.

The Declaration Of Sentiments: A Womanist Perspective, Emmalee Layton

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

This paper examines the Declaration of Sentiments, an influential document in the creation of the early feminist movement, through a womanist lens. This paper aims to address whether the formulation of the Declaration of Sentiments had Black women’s liberation in mind, and how feminist movements must approach misogyny and racialization as co-constitutive in order to create liberatory strategies for Black women. This paper examines specific grievances that are outlined within the Declaration of Sentiments which are then put into historical context to signal whether the Declaration of Sentiments addresses the nuances of misogynoir and effectively strategizes for Black women’s liberation …

All That Glitters Is Not Gold: Consuelo Vanderbilt And Transatlantic Marriages In The Gilded Age, Katie M. Cassady

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

Between 1865 and the onset of World War I, wealthy American women increasingly married titled European men. These marriages played a critical role for both parties: the newly moneyed elite asserted its claim to social status, and depleted European nobility regained the funds so essential to their longevity. By 1915, 454 American heiresses had married into the European aristocracy. In one famous example, Consuelo Vanderbilt was forcibly wed to the ninth Duke of Marlborough. As the Vanderbilt family labored to assimilate themselves into old-money New York society, the opportunity to tie their family name to English nobility could catapult the …

"A Pioneer Lady Who Saved Her Home", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

In Spring of 1811, Polly Allen, a settler on the land that would become Lauderdale County, Alabama, was forced to leave her home by soldiers acting upon orders of territorial agreement. Before the soldiers burned her home, Allen offered them a meal, which led the soldiers to extinguish the flames rather than leave her and her family homeless.

"The Grave Of A Patriot's Widow", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The widow of Revolutionary War veteran, Brigadier General Levi Casey, Elizabeth Duckett Casey is buried in a Lauderdale County cemetery. The article offers a brief overview of her and her husband's lives, as well as information on the degradation of the cemetery she rests in.

Newsclipping, The Old And New

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: James H. Lewis (left), Afro-American Life Insurance Company, Jacksonville, Florida, shaking hands with M. C. Clark (right), president of Dunbar Life Insurance Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Lewis congratulating his successor, Mr. Clark, as president of NNIA (National Negro Insurance Association). Undated.

"The Courtview Diary", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article offers an excerpt and overview of the diary of Sally Independence Foster, a young girl from Florence, Alabama who recorded her experiences during the Civil War. Foster lived in Courtview, now known as Rogers Hall on the campus of the University of Alabama. Additional photographs of Courtview (Rogers Hall) are available in the University Architecture and William Lindsey McDoanld Image Collections by searching the side bar located on the left.

Additional information about Sally Independence Foster, can be found in this LibGuide, the digital archival collection, or the finding aid to the physical collection.

"The Blockade Runner", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

During the Civil War, Mary Nail Blair of Florence, Alabama organized a secret operation to bring essential supplies into Florence and the surrounding area from behind enemy lines.

"Eliza Coffee Whose Name Is Memorialized By A Hospital", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article serves as a brief biographical sketch of Eliza Coffee, whom the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama memorializes.

Archives As Activism: Using Cuny Archives To Examine And Analyze Social Change, Marci Littlefield

Open Educational Resources

Archives as Activism uses CUNY archival materials to help students examine the relationship between activism, social issues and social change. Students will analyze primary sources such as flyers, newsletters, photographs, student newspapers, and institutional documents and connect them to contemporary social issues. CUNY’s history of activism around, race, gender, educational access, women’s organizing and institutional power provides students with an opportunity to investigate questions about power, collective action, intersectionality and social change.

Newsclipping, Does Your Chin Line Suggest Age?

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Advertisement for Dorothy Gray Preparations available at Gayfer's Toilet Goods Department. Undated. 

Newsclipping, ...Could Erase Our Beggar Status

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding politics, presidents, and color prejudice. Undated.

Newsclipping, Ministers Endorse Mahalia

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News Clipping: Clipping with photograph of Miss Mahalia Jackson shaking hands with Reverend V. S. Gregg, at the Baptist Ministers Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity. Also in photograph, left to right: Reverend Walter H. Anderson, Miss Mahalia Jackson, Reverend W. L. Bentley, Reverend V.S. Gregg, and Miss Mildred Falla. Undated.

Newsclipping, A Mother Who Adds Glory To Mothers Of All

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding Mrs. A. E. Barrow being awarded "Mother of the Year" by the Oklahoma American Mothers' Committee, Golden Rule Foundation. Undated.

Newsclipping, Memory Of Former Clerk Is Honored By Supreme Court

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding the memorial for the former clerk of the Supreme Court of Florida, G.T. Whitfield. Florida Times-Union.  Undated.

Newsclipping, Little Sisters Feast Day Held At Home For Aged

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding the 85th annual open house of the Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged held on the feast day of St. Joseph, patron saint of the Home. Includes an image of 79-year-old Lydia Nicholas sitting in a wheelchair, playing the piano at the Little Sisters of the Poor open house, Sister Maethilda listening. Undated.

Newsclipping, Voting Set Today On School Issues

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding the polling place open for voting on a referendum that could revise the school system. Undated.

Newsclipping, Fascist Wisdom

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding fascism. Undated.

Newsclipping, Article Fragment

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article fragment that mentions Dr. George Washington Carver of Tuskegee, Dr. Robert R Moton, president of Tuskegee, Dr. J. R. E. Lee, head of the Florida A. & M. College at Tallahassee, Booker T. Washington, founder of Tuskegee. The article also mentions Bethune-Cookman at Daytona Beach. Undated.

Newsclipping, Why Don't More Negroes Become Lawyers?

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News Clipping: Partial article references data given to the reporter by the acting dean of Howard University School of Law, William W. Taylor. Undated.

Newsclipping, Rules Outlined "Woman Of The Year"

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding guidelines for Jacksonville citizens preparing to nominate people for the Woman of the Year award based on accomplishments from 1948. Award sponsored by Cohen Brothers. Undated.

Newsclipping, Duval Grand Jury Called Next Friday

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding the Duval County Grand Jury reconvening, looking into "alleged school irregularities". The probe looked into rumors that some teachers were "required" to make payments to secure job placements. Undated.

Newsclipping, Keep Up The Fight

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: United States Representative Arthur W. Mitchell of Illinois, the only Black American in Congress, announced requesting a re-hearing of the Mitchell versus Rock Island Arkansas before the Interstate Commerce Commission. Undated.

Newsclipping, Disabled Workers Want Jobs And Not Pity

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding industry overlooking disabled and older workers as valuable manpower. Undated.

Newsclipping, Racial Supremacy Fallacy

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding the American Anthropological Association report on the fallacy of racial supremacy. Undated.

Newsclipping, Directors Named At Charity Meet

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article about the Associated Charities' eighth annual meeting at the Woman's Club, where thirty directors were named. The secretary, Homer Borst, made a report on the previous year. Undated

Newsclippiing, Registrations Reach New High

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding registration for political elections.Chart of registrations.  Reverse side: classified adverts. Undated.

Newsclipping, Westside Ushers Revival Hour At Grant Memorial

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding the Westside Ushers Revival Hour to be held at Grant Memorial AME Church at 2:45 pm. Undated.

Newsclipping, To House 22,000 More Negro Families In Low-Cost Projects

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding Black Americans residing in government-financed low-rent housing projects based on a report submitted to the Administrator of the United States Housing Authority, Nathan Straus. The report was given to the housing authority administrator by Dr. Robert C. Weaver, Special Assistant. Undated.