History
Farmworker Movements and Organization in Ventura County 1958-1982
Ben Hadley ('11); Mentor: Tomas Summers-Sandoval
Abstract: The aim of this project was to uncover
the history of farmworker movements and
organizations in Ventura County, California
between 1958 and 1982. Despite a more than $150
million per year agricultural industry in the late
1970s, it is a history largely left out of the
agricultural labor history of the period. Research
done mainly in the archives of the Museum of
Ventura County showed that Ventura labor history
can be divided into 3 main periods. Cesar Chavez
and his Community Service Organization
organized local workers against the use of bracero
guestworkers between 1958 and the bracero
program’s end in 1964. Labor associations were
able to establish a stable, local labor supply
through generous pay and benefits between 1964
and 1974. From 1974 to 1982, this stable
workforce began to demand even better pay and
housing, manifesting in strikes and UFW
representation.
Funding provided by The Fletcher Jones Foundation
Latinos at the Golden Gate
Mindy Hagan ('12); Mentor: Tomas Summers Sandoval
Abstract: This summer I worked as a research
assistant for History Professor Tomas Summers
Sandoval and his new book entitled Latinos at the
Golden Gate. This book surveys the history of
Latinos/as in San Francisco from the beginnings
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of the Gold Rush up to the 1970s. I assisted in
multiple projects involving transcribing taped oral
interviews, newspaper research, statistical compilation,
detailed write-ups of key events, and
formatting/editing. Through these multiple
projects, I learned new ways of researching
contemporary history while being introduced to
the labors of academia. The work I was able to
complete this summer has prepared me for future
research projects by familiarizing me with the
involved perspective offered by combining oral
histories with newspaper recorded history, which
offers less bias but is more dry as a result. The
experience has left me better prepared for the
future rigor of senior thesis and graduate school.
Funding provided by The Faucett Family Foundation
In search of women: uncovering women’s history at the national archives
Stephanie Roman ('11); Mentor: April Mayes
Abstract: The goal of the project was to find and
index as many documents as possible (notary
pubic records, marriages, testaments, grievances,
etc) that evidence the activity of colonial women
in the Dominican Republic from the 17th century
to about mid 19th century. At fist glance most
colonial era documents seem to indicate an
absence of women’s involvement and
participation in public and legal aspects of
colonial social life. Women were, however, very
much active participants in colonial legal and
public life. Identifying and interpreting this
participation required a particular sent of methods
as well as a paradigm shift that considers women’s
legal status as minors. The primary method
utilized for this research was searching for the
mention and appearance of women in documents,
mostly in connection to their spouses or guardians,
through the archival online database, as well as in
various indices that have not yet been digitalized.
Funding provided by The Fletcher Jones Foundation
Political Debate and Public Reaction in Australian-US Relations, 1941-1942
Cosimo Thawley ('11); Mentor: Samuel Yamashita
Abstract: Prime Minister Curtin published an
article on 27 December 1941: “Without any
inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that
Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to
our traditional links or kinship with the United
Kingdom.” Literature concerning this article and
Australia-US relations at large tends to focus on
one aspect—foreign policy or cultural interaction.
Through close analysis of the home front—that is,
the political debate and public reaction—I hope to
examine several aspects of wartime Australia and
its relations with the US: first, the degree of
political consensus at that moment; second, the
immediate public reaction, and whether
government reflected this opinion; third, whether
one might consider the debate and reaction as part
of a process of nationalism; and fourth, the
memory and manipulation of the article, and
whether it was in fact a watershed in Australian
history.
Funding provided by The Fletcher Jones Foundation
The Impact of Hawai'i Regional Cuisine
Nicholas Tyack ('11); Mentor: Samuel Yamashita
Abstract: Hawai’i Regional Cuisine (HRC) is a
contemporary Hawaiian culinary movement begun
by twelve founding chefs in 1991 with the goal of
taking better advantage of island ingredients and
the local culinary tradition. My project involved
analyzing the State of Hawaii Data Book to track
changes in farming, ranching and fishing due to
the new cuisine. A close look at the statistics
reveals both the context and possible
consequences of the movement. First, the
backdrop to the HRC movement was marked by
the decline of sugar and pineapple production and
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the dramatic rise of tourism. Since then, the
movement has had a mixed track record. More
hired workers have gotten involved in local fruit
and vegetable production, and production of
produce like tomatoes and cucumbers has
increased, but livestock production has continued
to decrease dramatically. Most concerning is the
decreasing numbers of local bottomfish, an
important element of the cuisine.
Funding provided by Pomona College SURP