Josephine Fowler, known as Josie to her friends, died of breast cancer
in 2006, just three years after completing her Ph.D. in American
studies. Her life spanned just 49 years, but was by any measure
remarkably rich, impassioned, and accomplished. In tribute to Josie's
amazing spirit, friends and colleagues have established a fund to
provide an annual $250 award for the purchase of books to a U of M
American studies graduate student doing research in the areas Josie
valued and changed with her life and labor--work that documents and
fights for positive change in the world. The prize, established in
Fall 2007, is intended to facilitate the purchase of books helpful to
the recipient's dissertation. Through this prize Josie will continue
to serve as a model of how to meld committed activism and principled
scholarship.
Eligible applicants are students in good standing pursuing a Ph.D. in
American Studies whose research is in the areas of: labor history,
Asian immigration, the history of the American Left, the pursuit of
peace, or other topics that are related to work on social justice and
change. Along with $250.00 to cover the cost of books, the recipient
will also receive a copy of Josie's book, Japanese & Chinese Immigrant
Activists: Organizing in American & International Communist Movements,
1919 - 1933.
Applicants will be notified of results in late April.
Criteria:
Funds will be awarded to the graduate student who best does the following:
1) Demonstrates how their dissertation contributes to the study of
peace and justice
2) Explains how the books purchased with this grant will aid their dissertation.
How to Apply:
In a 1 page essay, describe your dissertation topic and its
relationship to the areas listed above. Please list what books you
want to buy and how they will aid your dissertation research.
Submit your application to Melanie at stein196@umn.edu by the April 13, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. NOON deadline.
