معرفی
Mary Renda is the Emily Dickinson Professor of History at Mount Holyoke College, where she is also affiliated with the Department of Gender Studies. She is a leading scholar in U.S. imperialism, cultural history, Haitian and Caribbean studies, and women's history.
- Ph.D., M.Phil., M.A., Yale University
- B.A., Brown University
Her research explores the intersections of empire, race, gender, and culture in U.S. history. She is particularly known for her award-winning book Taking Haiti, which examines the U.S. military occupation of Haiti through cultural sources like letters, photographs, and memoirs. Her work extends into feminist theory, missionary history, and the visual representation of empire. She has contributed to major scholarly volumes on Latin American history, modern empire, and Protestant missions.
Her recent and ongoing scholarship analyzes the symbolic legacy of Mary Lyon and the material culture of empire. The articles reflect a consistent engagement with transnational history, sovereignty, and the cultural underpinnings of U.S. imperial formations.
Scientific Awards:
- John Hope Franklin Prize, American Studies Association
- Stuart L. Bernath Book Prize, Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations
- Pangynaskeia Faculty Award, Mount Holyoke College
Renda founded the Department of Gender Studies at Mount Holyoke (2005–2011) and has been deeply involved in interdisciplinary programs including Critical Social Thought, Africana Studies, and American Studies. She has led campus-wide initiatives on fair labor, anti-racism, and community listening, particularly in response to Haiti’s 2010 earthquake. Her mentorship and teaching have been widely praised by students.
She is currently working on a book manuscript titled ‘Entangled in the Things of This World’: Mary Lyon, the Promises of Sovereignty, and the Course of Empire, further expanding her research into the visual and material culture of American institutions and empire.
