A new exhibit at the Main Library celebrates two great occasions – the centennial anniversary of the UA School of Anthropology and Women’s History Month – by exploring the seminal work, impact and achievements of women in the field of anthropology. Through biographical profiles, photographs, studies and monographs covering gender, race and feminism in anthropology, “Celebrating Excellence: Women in Anthropology” highlights the contributions of seven influential American female anthropologists.
Covering the 20th century to present day, the exhibit features the work of:
-Ruth Underhill (1883-1984), known for her many publications that dispelled myths about Native American culture
-Ruth Benedict (1887-1948), an anthropologist and folklorist known for studies of the relationships between personality, art, language and culture. Benedict was also the second female president of the American Anthropological Association
-Gladys Reichard (1893-1955), a cultural and linguistic anthropologist best known for her studies of Navajo language and culture
-Hortense Powdermaker (1896-1970), best known for her ethnographic studies of African Americans in rural America
-Margaret Mead (1901-1978), a cultural anthropologist who tackled controversial social issues and became a frequent speaker and lecturer in 1960s and 1970s
-Ruth Landes (1908-1991), a cultural anthropologist best known for studies on Brazilian candomblé cults and her study of race and gender relations
-Jane Hill, Regents’ Professor and Professor of Anthropology and Linguistics at the University of Arizona known for her research on the Uto-Aztecan languages and language ideology
“Celebrating Excellence: Women in Anthropology” is on display in the UA Main Library from March 9-Aug. 27 and was curated as a companion display to Special Collections current exhibition, “Celebrating Excellence: 100 Years of UA Anthropology,” which runs through July 30.
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