Mary Ann Irwin

Mary Ann Irwin is a Lecturer in the Department of History at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB). She holds an MA in History from San Francisco State University (1992) and a BA in History from the University of California, Berkeley (1980). Her research focuses on women’s history, Jewish communities in the American West, and California’s social and cultural history. She has published extensively on topics including Jewish San Francisco, public history, and moral panics related to prostitution regulation.

Irwin’s career includes teaching roles at CSUEB and Diablo Valley College, where she has instructed courses on U.S. History, California History, and the history of nursing. She has also served in editorial roles, including as Editor of California History (2020–present) and on the editorial board of the Pacific Historical Review. Her professional activities include leadership in organizations like the American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians.

Her awards include the 2024 Elizabeth Eisenstein Award for her article on Jewish San Francisco's Americanization and the 2022 Distinguished Service Award from the Pacific Coast Branch of the AHA. Her work explores intersections of gender, ethnicity, and social activism, with a particular emphasis on marginalized communities in California.

Irwin’s publications include books like The Elusive Eden: A New History of California and articles in leading journals. She actively engages in public history projects, serving as Guest Curator for exhibits at the Judah L. Magnes Museum and participating in educational initiatives like the California Women Inspire redesign. Her teaching and research reflect a commitment to anti-racist pedagogy and culturally responsive education.