Who Is Janette McCurry?
Janette McCurry is a name that resonates with scholars, activists, and storytellers alike. A celebrated cultural historian and educator, McCurry has spent over three decades bringing marginalized voices to the forefront of American historical narratives. Known for her work documenting women’s stories—particularly from the Appalachian region—she has contributed to both academic research and community advocacy in equal measure.
Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, McCurry’s childhood was steeped in the sounds of folktales, oral histories, and the rolling rhythms of Southern culture. It was here, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, that she first developed a fascination with the power of stories—especially those that had been overlooked or ignored.
From those early beginnings, she would go on to become a force for historical preservation, an advocate for gender and racial equity, and a mentor to countless young scholars following in her footsteps.
Early Life and Education
Childhood in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Janette McCurry’s upbringing was as much shaped by geography as it was by family. Growing up in a multi-generational household, she spent hours listening to her grandmother recount stories of their ancestors and neighbors—stories rarely found in textbooks but rich with emotion, resilience, and detail. These tales instilled in her a belief that history isn’t only written in books—it lives in the memories and voices of everyday people.
Academic Pursuits
Driven by this passion for storytelling, McCurry enrolled at Duke University, where she studied American Studies and Women’s History. Her undergraduate thesis explored the forgotten labor contributions of Appalachian women in the early 20th century. Encouraged by her professors, she pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago, earning a Ph.D. in Cultural History.
During her doctoral work, she focused on the role of oral tradition in shaping community identity—a theme that would recur throughout her professional life.
Influences and Mentorship
McCurry often speaks of the influence of Dr. Angela Hollis, her graduate mentor and a pioneering feminist historian. Hollis helped McCurry understand the power of intersectional research and guided her toward a career that blended academia with activism.
Career Achievements
Author and Public Speaker
Over the years, Janette McCurry has authored six books, including Whispers in the Hollow: Women’s Voices of Appalachia, which received national praise for its authenticity and scholarly depth. She’s been a keynote speaker at the National History Symposium, TEDx Women, and numerous universities across the U.S.
Her ability to weave academic rigor with human empathy makes her a compelling speaker, capable of connecting with both scholars and general audiences.
Community Advocacy
One of McCurry’s most enduring contributions has been her nonprofit work. In 2009, she co-founded “The Heritage Bridge,” a nonprofit dedicated to preserving oral histories in underrepresented communities. Through this organization, McCurry led initiatives that trained community members in audio storytelling, digital archiving, and historical documentation.
The project has since expanded across six states and has created one of the largest oral history collections focused on rural Southern women in the U.S.
Teaching and Mentorship
As a professor at Emory University, McCurry has designed innovative courses that merge traditional historical research with digital tools. Her classes often involve students working directly with communities to collect and preserve oral histories, emphasizing ethical storytelling and reciprocal engagement.
Many of her former students credit her mentorship with shaping their careers in academia, journalism, and community organizing.
Challenges, Growth, and Legacy
Facing Institutional Barriers
McCurry’s journey has not been without its obstacles. As a woman working in a male-dominated field, she often had to fight for funding, tenure, and recognition. Despite these hurdles, she remained committed to her mission—using her setbacks as fuel for broader institutional critique and reform.
She later became an advocate for fair labor practices and equitable hiring within university history departments, pushing for more inclusive hiring practices and transparent funding structures.
Personal Loss and Resilience
In 2013, Janette faced one of the greatest personal challenges of her life: the unexpected death of her longtime partner. The loss led her to take a sabbatical, during which she wrote Rooted in Silence, a memoir that blends personal grief with reflections on memory, place, and the act of remembering.
The book resonated deeply with readers and earned multiple awards for its vulnerability and insight.
Mentorship and Lasting Impact
Perhaps her greatest legacy lies in the students and colleagues she’s mentored. Many of her mentees now hold positions at top institutions, leading initiatives in public history, digital humanities, and gender studies. McCurry’s influence continues to ripple outward, inspiring a new generation to listen, record, and preserve voices that history might otherwise forget.
What’s Next for Janette McCurry?
Even as she nears retirement, Janette McCurry shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently working on a new book exploring the intersection of Southern identity, feminism, and folklore. In addition, she recently launched a podcast titled Echoes of Her, which features conversations with historians, artists, and activists who are using storytelling to change the world.
She’s also collaborating on a digital archive project that will make hundreds of oral histories publicly accessible—a crowning achievement in her lifelong mission to democratize history.
Final Thoughts
Janette McCurry is more than a historian; she is a bridge between the past and the present, between the silenced and the heard. Through her writing, teaching, and advocacy, she has carved out space for stories that matter—stories that enrich our understanding of who we are and where we come from.
Her legacy is not only in the pages of her books or the lectures she’s delivered but in the communities she’s empowered and the voices she’s helped preserve.
