Photo Credit: Michigan State University Libraries

Many Montana families have a well-worn collection of church and community cookbook passed down by grandmothers, aunts, and female friends and family. While these books contain nostalgic time-tested recipes and family traditions, they also have much to tell us—as historical and literary documents— about the lives and stories of the women who created them. In this presentation, Dr. Randi Tanglen discusses her research on women’s community cookbooks in eastern Montana and the unexpected role of cookbooks in promoting women’s influence and leadership. Audience members are invited to bring their own community cookbook(s) to share and discuss.

Presenter Bio

Before becoming the Executive Director for Humanities Montana, Randi Tanglen earned her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and was an English professor at Austin College in Texas for 12 years. She has written and lectured widely on pre-1900 U.S. women and minority writers, the captivity literature of the United States, and literature and social justice.