essica Wilkerson, associate professor of history at West Virginia University, wants to change the narrative surrounding feminism. Specifically, Wilkerson wants to acknowledge the fight for women’s rights was built on the shoulders of women of color, the working class and women in the south and Appalachia — not just white-collar urbanites. The Carnegie Corporation of New York has acknowledged Wilkerson’s pursuit, as it named her a recipient of the prestigious Andrew Carnegie Fellowship, also known as the “brainy award,” for 2021. Wilkerson is the second WVU researcher to earn that designation; the first being English Professor Stephanie Foote in 2018. For this year’s class, Wilkerson is one of 26 fellows selected from 311 nominations across the country. The fellowship grants each member $200,000 to fund significant research and writing in the social sciences and humanities that address important issues confronting society.