Historian Laura McEnaney Wins the 2007 Binkley-Stephenson Award

Historian Laura McEnaney has been awarded the 2007 Binkley-Stephenson Award for best scholarly article published in the Journal of American History in 2006. McEnaney will receive $500 and a plaque in recognition of her achievement March 31 during the 100th annual meeting of the Organization of American Historians.

Described by the OAH as “elegantly written and ingeniously researched,” McEnaney’s Nightmares on Elm Street: Demobilizing in Chicago, 1945-1953 (March 2006) focuses on post-World War II housing and the impact of the government’s effort to dismantle many of the social institutions that eased the burdens of life in wartime. Using journalistic techniques, McEnaney created profiles of different residents in urban Chicago housing, including, returning veterans, black Americans, white immigrants, and newlyweds to illustrate life at that time.

McEnaney is the Nadine Austin Wood Associate Professor of American History. Her research has examined the Cold War's domestic history and women in social movements. McEnaney is a past recipient of the college's Nerhood Award which honors teaching excellence. She has taught at Whittier College since 1996.

The Binkley-Stephenson Award has honored scholarly work since 1967. The award recognizes the best article published in the Journal of American History during the preceding calendar year. The journal is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. It is widely recognized as an important source of research on all aspects of American history. The Organization of American Historians publishes the journal.

Read Nightmares on Elm Street: Demobilizing in Chicago, 1945–1953.