EXPERTISE
Civil War Era
Women's History
Illinois History
History Pedagogy
Civic Engagement
FACULTY PROFILE
“I am a United States Historian whose research and writing focuses on social and cultural issues leading up to the American Civil War through the early 1900s with concentrations on the Civil War and Reconstruction, gender, medical institutions, race, and memory.
My book, What Mother Meant: The Life and Legacy of Mary Bickerdyke, is under peer review with the University of North Carolina Press. The dissertation’s overall aim suggests a revision of the commonly understood narrative of 'Mother' Mary Bickerdyke, the famed Illinois Civil War nurse. I argue that her maternal competence and the clout that she developed as a publicly respected mother enabled her to exercise medical authority in a variety of institutional spaces from 1861-1901.
I am a Co-Founding Member and Project Director for the Southland History Collective, a collaboration between scholars at Governors State University, local historical societies, educators, students, and interested citizens. We seek to preserve and promote the diverse histories of Chicago’s Southland, create meaningful opportunities to engage with the past, and foster a strong sense of place and belonging among the inhabitants of the region. We prioritize equity and inclusivity in our projects, recognizing that a comprehensive understanding of our past requires the integration of all voices and stories, particularly those that have been historically marginalized or risk erasure.
I teach a range of U.S. History courses and coordinate the Social Studies Education BA and Certificate program at GovState. As a former middle school history teacher, I have a passion for history pedagogies and instructional techniques that center students' experiences to historical realities.”
- Megan VanGorder
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