History Alumna and Instructor Wins McGinty Lifetime Meritorious Service Award

From left, professors Janet Allured and Caree Banton, chair of the department.

U of A Department of History alumna and instructor, Janet Allured, won the McGinty Lifetime Meritorious Service Award from the Louisiana Historical Association on March 22. 

The award, which is the highest honor given by the association “is awarded annually to recognize members of the Louisiana Historical Association who, over the length of their careers, have made significant contribution to scholarship in Louisiana history, to the historical profession in Louisiana broadly speaking, and/or to the Association specifically.”

Allured’s scholarly distinction places her in the highest rank of Louisiana historians. She completed her B.A at McNeese State University in 1982, and her Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas in 1988. From there she went on to a long and distinguished career in the Department of History at McNeese State University.  She recently retired from that position and returned to Fayetteville where she fills her retirement by writing and teaching in the Department of History.

“This illustrious award celebrates Dr. Allured’s incredible career and honors her influence on the field, which serves our Department’s mission,” said Caree Banton, chair of the Department of History.

As the author or editor of half a dozen books, with another under contract, Allured has made innumerable contributions to Louisiana history. 

The presenter of the award, Elaine Thompson from Louisiana Tech University, said “her research has focused on women in Louisiana and in the South, and has ranged across time, race, class, source materials, and presentation formats.” 

Her most recent book, Remapping Second-Wave Feminism: The Long Women’s Rights Movement in Louisiana, 1950-1997, is an outstanding example of her groundbreaking work. 

Allured is also well-regarded as a teacher. Students and other faculty recall her classes as being exceptional. Whether she is teaching a freshman survey or a senior capstone, Banton said that Allured always brings her best to the classroom. Students from McNeese and the U of A alike have benefitted from her depth of knowledge and passion for her subject.

Finally, Allured has dedicated years of varied service to the Louisiana Historical Association.  Along with being a member of the LHA Company of Fellows, she has served as president, vice-president, member of the board of directors, program, and in many other capacities. 

The award, given in memory of Louisiana Tech Professor Garnie W. McGinty, recognizes Allured as both an expert in Louisiana history and one of the leading lights of the historical profession.

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.