Josephine Pacheco Award for Best History M.A. Research Paper

Josephine Pacheco Award for Best History M.A. Research Paper Image

Chelsea Loane 

Chelsea Loane completed her Graduate degree in Applied History during the summer of 2019. Originally from the suburbs of Annapolis, Maryland, Chelsea relocated to Northern Virginia to attend George Mason University, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in History and American Government. She completed her Graduate Studies through the University's Accelerated Master's Program, while focusing on 19th and 20th Century American History, Museum Studies, and Digital History. Since receiving her degree, Chelsea has worked as a Content Developer and Researcher for a firm that designs exhibits for museums, National Parks, and historic sites across the country. 

Chelsea Loane is awarded the Josephine Pacheco award for her research paper, “‘Better Dead Than Coed:’ Women’s Response to the Virginia Military Institute Controversy,” written under the supervision of Professor Carton.

Chelsea crafted this story by using the papers of Virginia state senator Emilie F. Miller, held at George Mason University Special Collections.

Her research focused on the unexpected surge of women who protested the Virginia Military Institute opening its doors to female cadets through the early 1990's. “These women were not necessarily caving to male pressure – although many did support the institute due solely to their family ties,” Chelsea writes. “Rather, in their minds, they were advocating for their own benefit, be that the continued exclusive, top-tier collegiate experience available to their sons, the continuation of their own access to single-sex higher education, or their personal beliefs for what a woman should be.”