Personal Profile
I’m a historian, doula, and reproductive justice advocate, passionate about how history, politics, and women’s experiences intersect. After five years working in public history and museums, I spent the last year and a half supporting women through their reproductive journeys as a full-spectrum doula. This hands-on experience has shaped how I understand issues of bodily autonomy, especially when it comes to the political power tied to reproduction. My academic background includes an MSc in Medieval History from the University of Edinburgh, where I studied under Dr. Zubin Mistry. Now, I'm diving into research that blends both my passion for history and my advocacy for reproductive rights.
Research Interests
My research focuses on the fascinating ways royal childbirths in medieval England weren’t just personal or biological events, but deeply tied to politics and power. I’m particularly interested in how childbirths in the Plantagenet royal family, during a time of dynastic conflict like the Wars of the Roses, shaped political struggles, women’s positions in governance, and the very idea of political legitimacy.
Here are the main areas I’m exploring:
Reproductive Politics in the Middle Ages: Looking at how royal pregnancies and childbirths were used (or manipulated) to cement political power—especially during times of instability, like the Wars of the Roses.
Women in Medieval Politics: Understanding how women’s roles in medieval governance were often shaped by their ability to reproduce heirs, and how childbirth could elevate or undermine their political influence.
Historical Context of Royal Births: Focusing on key figures like Elizabeth Woodville, Isabella of France, Catherine of Valois, and Margaret Beaufort, I explore how childbirths weren’t just about family—they were moments of political importance.
Reproductive Justice: Drawing on my work as a doula, I also think about how these historical events resonate with modern issues of reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and women’s agency.
Current Projects
At the moment, I’m developing a research project titled Bodies, Birth, and Power: The Gendered Politics of Pregnancy and Childbirth in the Plantagenet Royal Family, c. 1100-1485. My goal is to show that royal childbirths, particularly during the Wars of the Roses, were not just private events—they were critical moments that could strengthen or weaken political power. By studying the lives of women like Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort, I’ll be exploring how these childbirths were a tool of political strategy in medieval England.
Methodologies
I use a mix of traditional historical methods and interdisciplinary approaches to make sense of how childbirth was a deeply political and social event. This includes:
Archival Research: Diving into royal records, letters, and medieval chronicles to understand how childbirths played into political power.
Gender Analysis: Applying feminist theory to understand how medieval society framed women’s roles—especially in relation to childbirth and political influence.
Public History: Drawing on my museum work, I love finding creative ways to make historical research accessible and engaging, whether that’s through exhibitions, digital tools, or other public-facing projects.
What’s Next?
I’m excited to get creative with my research! I want to bring medieval history to life in ways that connect with today’s discussions on reproductive rights. Some of the ideas I’m exploring include:
Exhibitions or Art Installations: I’d love to develop a visual or interactive exhibition exploring the political significance of royal childbirths. This could blend historical research with modern perspectives on reproductive rights.
Digital Projects: Creating an interactive digital space where people can explore the connections between royal childbirths and political power in a fun and engaging way.
Film or Documentary: A film or short documentary could be a powerful way to highlight the fascinating and often underexplored stories of medieval women and their roles in shaping history.
I’m always thinking about ways to bring this history into the present, making it not only an academic pursuit but a conversation that connects past struggles to the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy today.
Professional Affiliations
Collections Intern, Fort Ligonier Museum
Developed and coordinated new programming initiatives, including on-site and virtual community-engaged projects, contributing to public engagement and museum outreach.
Assisted with object handling, re-housing collections, and documenting items through cataloging and digitalization to enhance museum operations and exhibition content.
Led tours and educational programs to engage visitors and foster connection with historical exhibits and collections.
Curatorial Intern, Heinz History Center
Assisted in developing thematic content and conducting research for the 2024 Pittsburgh Women’s History Exhibit, “A Woman’s Place”, contributing to content creation and exhibition planning for a 10,000 sq. ft. gallery.
Coordinated with multiple departments, including Education, Communications, and Collections, to enhance cross-departmental collaboration and streamline project execution.
Supported the creation of digital content for social media, blogs, and articles to increase public engagement with the museum’s exhibitions and programs.
Public History Intern, Compass Inn Museum
Transcribed historical documents to improve accessibility and readability, enhancing the visitor experience and expanding educational outreach efforts.
Documented artifacts and contributed to a publicly accessible database, improving the museum’s collections management and facilitating public access to history.
Archival Intern, Seton Hill University
Managed and organized electronic records of past programs and newsletters.
Sorted, updated, and digitized documents and photographs, ensuring accurate labeling with detailed metadata.
Collaborated with the archival team and director to develop and restore exhibitions and artifacts.