Student's research changes her view of women's history

Posted 12/20/02 • by Susan Knapp

During investigations, researchers are often pulled down paths they never considered before. That's the case with Julie Morganstern '04 from Annapolis, Md. Her interest in the welfare reform movement of the 1960s and '70s began with homework assigned by Annelise Orleck, associate professor of history.

"In a women's history class," says Morganstern, "we read a piece Professor Orleck wrote about Ruby Duncan, one of the women involved in the Operation Life movement in Las Vegas [a program to stimulate community development]. That really drew me into the history of welfare reform and the role of women in that movement."

Morganstern learned that Orleck needed a student assistant to help research her upcoming book Welfare Mothers and Caesar's Palace: Poverty Activism and the American Dream. Specifically, Orleck wanted someone to look into the legislation that followed the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act.

"Julie did great work," says Orleck. "She traced, from that original bill, what kinds of programs and entitlements were actually called for. She then followed each of the amendments to the bill to examine how the federal government's approach to anti-poverty programs evolved. Julie was able to pinpoint what federal law entitled poor people to have and what kinds of actions it gave poor people power to take."

And a funny thing happened along the way. Morganstern herself became immersed in the topic. With Orleck's encouragement, Morganstern applied for and received a Dartmouth research grant, the McGuire Grant, given by an alum for African-American studies. Morganstern, now a third-year student, is currently studying several of the black female leaders of the National Welfare Rights Organization.

"I've always loved studying history, but Professor Orleck's class literally changed the way I look at the world. She taught me that women's history is not just about rewriting history with women in it, but a way of reevaluating and expanding our notions of politics and protest."

- Susan Knapp