Uncovering Women's Roles in Prohibition-Era Smuggling: Visiting Fulbright Scholar Expert in Cross-Border Illegal Economies

Trent University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Holly M. Karibo from Oklahoma State University as the 2024-25 Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Comparative Canada-U.S. Studies.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Professor Karibo to Trent University” said Dr. Heather Nicol, director of the School for the Study of Canada. “Her expertise in transnational urban history and research on the Great Lakes Borderlands are perfectly aligned with Trent’s commitment to interdisciplinary and cross-border academic exploration. Prof. Karibo’s work will enrich our understanding of historical dynamics and address contemporary issues that resonate across borders.” 

Prof. Karibo’s research project, “Ladies, Liquor, and the National Line: Gendering Prohibition in the Great Lakes Borderlands,” is the first in-depth study of women’s roles in cross-border illegal economies during the American Prohibition Era. Her work focuses on regions connecting New York, Michigan, Ontario, Quebec, and the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne, and the often-overlooked roles of women in these smuggling networks. By reframing the Prohibition through the lenses of gender, race, and labor, Prof. Karibo introduces new perspectives to a traditionally male-dominated narrative.  

As Fulbright Scholar at Trent, Dr. Karibo will spend the fall semester conducting groundbreaking research on North American cross-border history in relation to gender roles within illicit economies and will engage with the academic community through teaching and collaboration. 

“I’m thrilled to begin my appointment at Trent University,” said Prof. Karibo. “The opportunity to explore Canadian archives and collaborate with Trent’s academic community will be invaluable in advancing this project. I look forward to unearthing the stories of women who reshaped societal norms and legal landscapes during the Prohibition era.” 

Prof. Karibo will also teach the course “Sin Cities: Vice in the North American Borderlands,” examining illicit economies in the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borderlands during the 19th and 20th centuries. This interdisciplinary course will explore the regulation of vice economies and the gendered and racial experiences of those involved. 

Prof. Karibo’s appointment underscores Trent University’s commitment to cross-border academic exchange and research collaboration. Her work will contribute to discussions on historical and contemporary issues impacting both Canada and the U.S., enriching the intellectual environment at Trent and beyond. 

CONTACT INFO:

For more information contact: 

Olivia Flynn, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 ext. 7747 or oliviaflynn@trentu.ca 

Posted on September 5, 2024