Most of my history writing covers topics in either South Dakota or Wisconsin. Why is that? Well, I lived in South Dakota the first twenty-four years of my life, most of that time in my hometown of Plankinton. After high school, I studied at three colleges in the state; Mt Marty in Yankton (first two years), the University of South Dakota in Vermillion (Bachelor of Arts degree), and Augustana College in Sioux Falls (classes after graduation.) When my husband transferred to Racine, Wisconsin, for work, I finished my Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. Following careers in computer technology, political advocacy, and charitable non-profit work, I obtained my Master’s in History at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and am now pursuing my interest in discovering and documenting the local histories of communities and women. 

While studying for my master’s, I researched and wrote papers on Wisconsin topics and also South Dakota topics, focusing on community and women’s histories. Since graduation, I have researched and written about many facets of the woman suffrage movement in both states. I live in Wisconsin, but travel frequently to South Dakota to visit family and to present history papers at conferences and other venues. And that is why I like to research the history of both states!