Professor Kelsie Brook Eckert’ 13G is program coordinator of social studies education and founder and executive director of the Remedial Herstory Project. Photo by Matt Rudzinski ’22, ’24MBA

n an era where education is rapidly evolving to become more inclusive, the Remedial Herstory Project is a pioneering initiative dedicated to correcting the vast gender imbalance in historical narratives, where women make up about five percent of social studies curricula.

This nonprofit organization has become a transformative force in history education with over 100 contributing scholars. At PSU, I have leveraged my dual roles to bring together students and scholars and create meaningful opportunities to change social studies resources and instruction systematically.

Our mission is straightforward yet powerful: to bring women’s stories and experiences toward the center of historical study so that girls and boys can see women in it. Traditional history curricula have wrongly erased or omitted women’s perspectives, accomplishments, and contributions for generations, focusing on a narrow, male-defined narrative. The project challenges that model by producing high-quality, inquiry-based resources that elevate women’s voices throughout world and IS history.

Its method of engagement is particularly innovative. Rather than simply compiling content, the project cultivates a participatory learning environment where teachers and students become co-creators of knowledge. Through curated curriculum materials, scholarly research, summer teacher institutes, and expert podcast interviews, educators acquire tools to reframe historical lessons through a more equitable lens.

The strong relationship between the Remedial Herstory Project and Plymouth State University is the heart of the innovative approach. The project’s mission is woven into the fabric of teacher education where students are encouraged to incorporate inquiry-based learning techniques and gender-inclusive narratives into their teaching practice. By engaging with the Remedial Herstory Project, these future educators gain access to a wealth of classroom-ready materials that meet academic standards and reflect the complexity and diversity of the human experience. These are not just academic exercises but professional opportunities that help them build portfolios, refine their pedagogical approaches, and publish their work for international audiences.

A key factor in the project’s growth and sustainability has been its success in securing multiple $25,000 grants from the Library of Congress Eastern Region, administered by Waynesburg University. These competitive grants have provided vital funding to compensate qualified student interns. They have also facilitated the publication of lesson plans developed by PSU students and reviewed by scholars, giving Panthers the rare opportunity to see their work implemented in real classrooms across the country.

Professor Kelsie Brook Eckert, at left, and Professor Becky Noel, at right, with high school participants in the annual State National History Competition at PSU. Photo by Sam Taksar ’25

In addition to its academic and curricular contributions, the Remedial Herstory Project has created a thriving online platform that includes a digital library of lesson plans, primary source materials, and podcast episodes. The podcast, which I co-host with Brooke Sullivan ’09, features conversations with historians, educators, and thought leaders offering insights into historical scholarship and educational strategies. This content is accessible to a global audience, further amplifying the project’s reach and impact.

The Remedial Herstory Project does not just fill in the gaps—it reimagines what history education can be. By sharing the center with men, women’s stories encourage critical thinking and analysis of masculinity and patriarchal norms. It empowers students to question traditional narratives and see history as a dynamic and inclusive discipline. It challenges educators to think more deeply about representation, equity, and the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the past.

The project is a model for how universities and nonprofit organizations can collaborate to bring about meaningful educational change. It provides PSU students with invaluable real-world experience, supports educators with high-quality resources, and helps reshape the narrative of history to include the voices that have for too long been left out.

In every sense, the Remedial Herstory Project is more than a curriculum initiative—it is a movement for accurate history teaching, including the other half of the population. ■ Professor Kelsie Brook Eckert’ 13G