Katie Woods

In the year since she completed Northeastern’s Public History M.A. program, Katie Woods has been uncovering little known stories and sharing her influential experiences with current history students. Currently, Katie is researching the connections between the women’s suffrage movement and the abolition movement in Boston as a Student Conservation Association Public Historian for the National Parks. She doesn’t wear a rangers uniform, but her work is as important to the historical stories shared at the parks. Having earned a certificate in Digital Humanities at Northeastern, Katie is developing digital content and assisting in programming related to women’s history and the suffrage centennial.

Katie says that her experiences in and out of the classroom while attending Northeastern’s Public History program has helped her grow into her role as a Public Historian. She is especially grateful for her certificate in Digital Humanities as it has opened the possibilities of projects she can contribute to. However, Woods’ favorite part of the Public History programs were her professors. She says, “For me, the professors are what made the program worth it. Their experiences, perspectives, and interests have given me a wide variety of knowledge, and they are always available and excited to help students, even those who have graduated from the program!”

Working with the National Parks, Woods has learned that there are so many possibilities with a degree in history. She says, “Stick with it! Public History has shown me that there are unlimited ways we can utilize, engage with, and remember the past. There’s a common misconception that you can only do one or two things with a history degree, but if you work hard and think out-of-the-box, the possibilities are endless!” Through her intensive and exciting research, Katie says that he favorite part of her job has been uncovering stories about people who have been left out of the common narrative. Well, this is one Public Historian who’s story we want to tell!